August 12, 2021 – West Bend, WI – West Bend native Alie Rusher, 25, has returned home to a heroes welcome after competing in the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
A proclamation by Washington County officials announced August 12 as “Alie Rusher Day.”
At the Olympics, Rusher was on the Women’s Quadruple Sculls team; the US team ultimately finished in 10th place.
China, Poland, and Australia took the gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Born in London, Rusher grew up in West Bend and eventually graduated in 2014 from St. Paul’s High School in Concord, NH.
Rusher is a 2018 Stanford University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in human biology.
Rusher participated in national and international competitions prior to the Olympics, including the 2018 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships, the 2017 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships, and the 2016 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships.
Internationally she won bronze in the eight (women rower team) at the 2018 World Rowing Under 23 Championships and finished 10th in the eight the 2017 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.
Rusher earned academic accolades at Stanford; she was named first-team PAC-12 All-Academic in 2017 and 2018, while also winning the Stanford Award of Excellence.
Rusher’s parents also have Olympic ties as her mother, Cynthia Eckert, won a silver medal for the US (Women’s coxless fours) in Barcelona in 1992.
Her father, John Rusher, took home bronze medals at the 1988 games in Seoul and 1992 as a member of the US Fours’ men rowing team.
When not rowing, Rusher enjoys sailing, hiking, and reading. She is an avid nature photographer and volunteers at the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation in Slinger.
Information sourcing credit: Team USA, US Rowing and Stanford Daily.
Congratulations, Alie on making it to the 2021 Olympics. Proud of you ❤