Gold Medal Mom!

This year the Tokyo Olympics were of special interest to the Rae Ann family. That’s because Diane Nageotte’s daughter, Katie was competing! Diane is a physical therapist at Rae Ann Suburban. To share in the journey of a local athlete was so exciting. Diane had been prepared to go to Tokyo, but Covid changed those plans….so she was at work every day giving her co-workers all the nerve-racking details.

Of course, this wasn’t new for Diane. From the age of 4, Katie was an athlete. Throughout her life she participated in soccer, volleyball, soft ball, cheerleading, basketball, swimming, track, skiing and golf. Whatever the season was, Katie tried out, but once she got introduced to pole vault, she knew this was the event for her. She committed to it all through college and after college moved to Kentucky and Washington state to advance her skills.

Gold medal winner, Katie Nageotte (third from left), brother Andy, sister Emily and mom Diane.

All the hard work paid off when she qualified for the Olympics in Tokyo. In the final week , Diane said she was on pins and needles and hardly slept. On Thursday, the family and friends gathered at 5 a.m. in Olmsted Falls for the watch party. For 2 hours they watched and finally saw Katie jump over 16’ to win the gold medal. The tears, relief and cheers were overwhelming to say the least. One week later, Katie arrived home to parades and celebrations. Diane is pictured here with Katie wearing her medal, along with her other children, Andy and Emily.

All at Rae-Ann are so happy for the Nageotte family and congratulate Katie and thank her for representing team USA! We wish her all the best in her future endeavors…and cheers to the mom who encouraged her, supported her and drove her to all those events her whole life!!!! Congrats to you, too, Diane!