SAMMAMISH, Wash. — The U.S. women's rugby team made history at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first American team to win an Olympic medal in the event after beating Australia in the bronze medal game.
Sammy Sullivan is not only a world-class rugby player, but she is also a West Point graduate who served as a captain in the U.S. Army and is the daughter of a Green Beret.
"When I joined the military, I never thought I would be joining the military and becoming an Olympian at the same time. I always had a call to serve, and when they put this around my neck, I just thought of all the Army women who I was representing, we're a strong group of individuals and I just hope I'm making all of them proud," Sullivan said.
She grew up in North Carolina, but has two very proud grandparents who now reside in Sammamish.
"They're here right now at the ripe old age of 83 supporting me," Sullivan said. "They're in the sun everyday watching us play and yeah it means the world to me that they could be here. I know its not easy for them to make the trek, so it makes me emotional thinking about everything they went through to get here and the support they've given me my whole life, making me the woman I am today."
Sullivan plays for the Colorado Gray Wolves club when she is not in international competition.