Purdue at the 2020 Olympics: Annie Drews is GOLDEN!

Two of the sweetest words for an athlete are “Olympic Champion”. It signifies the pinnacle of one’s sport and the crowning achievement of years, if not decades, of preparation.

Former Purdue volleyball player Annie Drews can now lay claim to being an Olympic champion.

Drew had 14 kills and a block in the Gold medal match against Brazil overnight, helping the United States women’s team win gold for the first time ever at the Olympics. She is also the first gold medalist for Purdue since David Boudia in 2012 in London.

Team USA defeated Brazil 25-21, 25-20, 25-14 for gold, bouncing back from an ugly group stage sweep at the hands of Athletes That Live In A Country Named Russia But Cannot Represent Said Nation Because Of Drugs.

Drews’ night was not the capper for Purdue athletes. During the closing ceremony the 613 American athletes will be represented by Kara Winger serving as flag bearer. Winger, who just finished her fourth Olympics as a javelin thrower, was voted as the flagbearer by all of Team USA:

“For legends on USA [track and field] and Team USA as a whole to vote for me, someone who hasn’t even been in a final, is extremely meaningful,” Winger said Sunday.

Last week, she reflected on Instagram on her most recent appearance in the javelin throw — in which, as with her previous Olympics, she failed to advance close to the podium.

What a way to close the Olympics for Purdue!

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images