Olympic dreams: Local athletes to watch

Nicole Barnhart

Soccer

Barnhart, born in Pottstown and raised in Gilbertsville, played on the men’s soccer in high school and won a gold medal as a backup goalkeeper with the 2008 Olympic team in Beijing. She’ll see action if anything happens to starter Hope Solo. Other soccer team members with local ties: Heather Mitts, Carli Lloyd and Christie Rampone.

Jordan Burroughs

Wrestling

Burroughs was born in Camden, but attends the University of Nebraska. He’s expected to bring home a gold in the 163-pound weight class.

Miles Chamley-Watson

Fencing

Despite growing up in Philly — he moved here at 9 — Chamley-Watson was born in London and now lives in New York City. This marks his first Olympics after reaching as high as No. 2 in the world fencing rankings.

Katelyn Falgowski

Field Hockey

Delaware (Newark) native was 2011 Division I National Player of the Year. She’ll be making her second appearance in the Games, after helping Team USA grab eighth in 2008. She was the only collegian to make the 2008 Olympic team. Other field hockey team members with local ties: Paige Selenski, Keli Smith Puzo, Julia Reinprecht, Katie Reinprecht, Katie O’Donnell, Rachel Dawson, Kayla Bashore-Smedley.

Matt Emmons

Shooting

Emmons, who hails from Burlington County, will participate in the men’s 50m rifle three position and 10m air rifle events. He struck gold at the 2004 Games and silver in 2008. He is married to another Olympian, Katy Kurkova.

Susan Francia

Rowing

She was born in Hungary, but moved to the States at age 2. She attended Abington High School and didn’t start rowing until she got to the University of Pennsylvania in 2001. Francia won gold at the 2008 Games and owns five world championships. She also models in her spare time.

Boyd Martin

Equestrian

Australian transplant is the son of two Olympians and calls West Grove home. Martin will be riding the horse, Neville Bardos, he saved from a burning barn. His focus is “eventing.” He trains with Olympic equestrian hopeful Phillip Dutton.

Casey Eichfeld

Canoe/Kayak

His hometown of Harrisburg isn’t exactly around the corner, but look for him in the slalom canoe. He finished 11th in doubles canoe at 2008 Games.