It was all a dream!
Lauren Scruggs is a 21-year-old rising senior at Harvard University, and a New York City native, ABC News reports. A star fencer, Scruggs has already made quite the name for herself, a member of the First Team All-American at the collegiate fencing level and a fencing mentor for underserved communities at the prestigious Peter Westbrook Foundation. Westbrook himself won a bronze medal for Team USA at the 1984 Summer Olympics, Scruggs crediting him as a huge impact on her career.
“I think he’s a big reason why I am where I am today,” she told reporters.
This past week, Scruggs made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics, facing off against fellow Team USA competitor Lee Kiefer in the women’s individual foil final. Despite the loss to Kiefer 15-6, Scruggs still walked away victorious, earning a silver medal and becoming the first Black American woman to earn an individual medal in women’s fencing at the Olympics.
“I thought I was dreaming. I never expected to make it that far,” said Scruggs.
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The historic win also marked the first time American women have taken home both gold and silver Olympic medals in the individual foil fencing competition. Now, Scruggs plans to use her newfound notoriety for good, hoping to amplify Black people in the sport and open the door for others.
“I think my success in fencing has helped break stereotypes about what Black people can do and who can be a fencer,” Scruggs explained.
Cover photo: Lauren Scruggs Makes History as First Black American Woman to Earn an Individual Medal in Women’s Fencing at Olympics/Photo credit: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images/USOPC