The City of Lights shimmered with an extra touch of magic during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Among the gathering of elite athletes from across the globe, four individuals made Indiana State University proud: current marketing and management student Chloe Farro; 2019 psychology alumna Erin Reese; 2014 sport management alumna Mary Theisen-Lappen; and 2023 business administration alumnus Noah Malone. Malone competed in the Paralympics and received the gold medal in the men’s 100-meter T12 race. Malone was unavailable for a quote. Learn more about his race to victory at the Paralympics.
For Farro, making her Olympic debut in the 50-meter freestyle swimming event for her native country, Aruba, was a lifelong dream come true. “I’ve dreamed of this since I was 12 years old,” Farro says. “This was the result of hard work, and it was the best time of my life.”
Farro also had the honor of carrying the flag for Aruba during the Opening Ceremony—becoming the first Indiana State student to do so since wrestler Bruce Baumgartner in 1996.
“That brought tears to my eyes,” Farro recalls. “I thought, ‘Wow, I’m really here.’ It was amazing to see all the athletes from around the world representing their countries. Everyone was proud to be there. I was proud to be there and put my country’s flag out there.”
Farro’s time in Paris saw her swimming to a personal best time of 26.49 in the 50-meter freestyle, where she finished tied for seventh overall in her heat. She finished tied for 32ndoverall among the 79 swimmers competing in the 50-meter freestyle swimming preliminary rounds. It was a whirlwind experience, she says.
“I met so many athletes. There was a bond between the athletes. I’ve been to large competitions before, but nothing like the Olympics,” Farro says.
With several records under her belt at Indiana State—including the fastest times in the 50-yard, 100-yard, and 200-yard freestyle at the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Championships—Farro looks toward the future and hopes to compete again in the 2028 Olympics.
Erin Reese, a former Sycamore thrower, made her Olympic debut in the hammer throw with a top-15 finish, placing 14th overall. For Reese, the achievement was not just a personal triumph, but a validation of her hard work and belief in herself.
“There were times when I had doubts and questioned if I belonged at this level, but after my competition, it brought on a whole new level of confidence in my abilities,” she says.
Beyond the field, Reese is dedicated to her work as a mental health case manager at the Hamilton Center of Terre Haute. She works with youth in the Vigo County School Corporation, and she helps young people process emotions and traumas, and develop effective coping skills. She’s also a volunteer coach for Indiana State’s track and field teams, giving back to the program that initially supported her athletic journey.
“I love working with current Sycamores because it wasn’t too long ago that I was in their shoes. I feel like I can help them reach their goals faster,” Reese says. “I also feel like I can overcomplicate my own throws, so it helps to break it down when I’m coaching so I can learn more myself, as well.”
She is passionate about bridging the mental health and sports worlds, helping others overcome self-doubt and achieve their fullest potential.
Reese adds, “I feel that so many people have confidence issues with their sport or compare themselves to others and don’t reach their full potential. I feel a sense of importance to help others and spread awareness about the mental side of sports.”
For Theisen-Lappen, the 2024 Olympics formed the pinnacle of a journey shaped by years of hard work. A standout thrower at Indiana State, Theisen-Lappen transitioned into weightlifting after graduation and excelled at the Olympics with a top-five finish in the +81kg weightlifting division. Her result is the first-ever top-five finish for an Indiana State track and field alumnus in the Olympics.
“It was surreal to make the Olympic team because everyone is so competitive. You can’t get away with any errors. I always want to be the strongest athlete I can be, but I have to be patient for the hard work to pay off,” says Thiesen-Lappen.
Her Olympic journey also carries an important message for women of all sizes. “I want to be a role model to women of bigger bodies—to be active and put yourself out there in competitions,” she remarks. “You’re supposed to be here. Be patient with yourself and focus on realistic goals.”
Theisen-Lappen is appreciative of the guidance and support she received from her Indiana State coaches and peers. Indiana State is a good place to achieve goals, she says. With the University’s storied track and field program, student-athletes receive the training to compete in larger competitions, become coaches, and make memories that last a lifetime.
“I have so many great memories from my time at Indiana State. Everyone cared about each other and our goals. I’m thankful for my coaches and peers who supported my journey to where I am now,” she says.
For Indiana State’s athletes, the Olympics were more than just a competition. They were a culmination of years of perseverance and personal growth. Whether breaking personal records in the swimming pool, throwing, or lifting weights, their athletic stories reflect individual triumphs but also the spirit of Indiana State: a place where student-athletes go ALL IN to excel on the world’s biggest stage.