TOKYO – A pair of Penn State alumni represented the Nittany Lions in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, with Shawn Morelli winning both gold and silver medals in cycling and Jacob Schrom representing the United States in powerlifting.
Morelli, a 1998 Penn State graduate, won gold in the women's road cycling C4 time trial and silver in the women's C4 3,000-meter individual pursuit track cycling. Morelli is now a two-time Paralympian and four-time Paralympic medalist.
Originally from Meadville, Pa., Morelli is a U.S. Army veteran. While deployed as an engineer officer in Afghanistan in 2007, she was seriously injured by an improvised explosive device. Morelli earned her degree in history from Penn State in 1998.
Schrom, a 2011 Penn State graduate, captured sixth place in the men's 107 kg. powerlifting competition in his Paralympic debut. The Carlisle, Pa. native hoisted 218 kg. (480 pounds) off the podium for a new personal record.
Schrom first learned about Paralympic powerlifting through Penn State's Ability Athletics program during his time in Happy Valley. He was injured in a vehicle accident, resulting in the amputation of his right leg. Schrom founded the Nittany Valley Amputee Support Group at Penn State.
