OLYMPIC ATHLETE HAILS FROM JOHNSONBURG PARISH

Mary Solberg
08/02/2021

JOHNSONBURG, PA — Mike Shuey, a parishioner and former altar server from Holy Rosary Parish, Johnsonburg, is a champion to his family back home, no matter how he performs for USA Track & Field at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Mike Shuey, a member of the U.S. Olympic javelin team,
poses in the Olympic stadium in Tokyo and shared this
photo on his Twitter feed.

As the first round of the javelin competition takes place at night on Aug. 3, the results of his performance were not available at press time. Shuey, representing Team USA, went into the Games rated No. 1 in the U.S. and ninth in the world.

“If he throws another 85.67 meters (over 281 feet), he definitely will be in the finals and could stand on the podium,” says his mother Donna Shuey, a longtime parishioner of Holy Rosary.

She and her husband, Bill, and their five other children and their families are expected to gather at the Shuey home in Johnsonburg for the javelin finals on Aug. 7 at 7 a.m. Like many families of Olympic athletes, they were forced — because of the pandemic — to abandon their tickets and all of their plans to attend the Games in person.

“There was talk about opening the firehall in Johnsonburg for a watch party, but I would get too nervous in front of the whole town,” Donna says. “We’ll definitely do it up, though, with decorations and games and gold medals made of chocolate. We’re a competitive group, so we’re going to have our own family Olympics.”

There is much to be proud of.

Mike Shuey was a star athlete representing Johnsonburg Area High School and later Penn State University. He was state champion in the javelin during high school and was named a Big 10 champ twice during his college years. Recently, he regained his No. 1 status in the United States, before the Olympics, when he threw 85.67 meters at the American JavFest at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Only four people in the country have ever thrown that distance.

Now an Olympic competitor, Mike Shuey shows his Penn
State pride on his Twitter feed.

According to Becky Bloam, secretary at Holy Rosary Parish, everyone in the community is proud of their hometown son.

“If you drive through Johnsonburg, Ridgway and St. Marys, you’ll see red, white and blue signs everywhere,” Bloam says. “It’s really exciting. We’ve never had anyone from here go to the Olympics.

Even the parish has a congratulatory message on their digital sign in front of the church.

For Donna Shuey, all the attention is overwhelming.

“It’s unbelievably humbling. I can’t drive without a tear in my eyes when I see all the signs and banners. I wonder, ‘Who are all these people who are rooting for my son?’ It’s kind of crazy and exciting. Were just so proud.”

Mike Shuey was unavailable for comment due to Olympic guidelines on interviews, but his mom says she knows he depends on his faith. She and her husband taught their children that no matter where they went in life, they should count their blessings.

“I think he got where he is because of a lot of faith, hard work and determination,” Donna says. “Every time I hear an interview, he says who helped him get there. He won’t ever forget where he came from.”