Tokyo Olympics: Doherty HS Grad Competes For U.S. Team

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester residents and Doherty High School alumni should keep watch during the Tokyo Olympics for Wadeline Jonathas — if you she's not too fast for your eyes.

The speedy 2016 Doherty grad will be competing in the women's 400 meter and 4x400 meter relay during the 2021 games, which officially begin on Friday. Jonathas broke NCAA records while competing for UMass Boston, and later for South Carolina.

Jonathas clinched her Team USA spot in June when she placed third in the 400 meter the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Oregon. She'll appear in the 2021 games during track events on Aug. 6 and 7.

Here's a sample of Jonathas' speed during an NCAA meet in 2017:

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics was postponed last March as the coronavirus pandemic emerged around the world. And it's still possible the games might be postponed again.

Coronavirus cases are on the rise in Japan and Tokyo is in a state of emergency due to the virus. The head of the Olympics organizing committee, Toshiro Muto, said this week it's possible the games could be called off before Friday if cases continue to rise, according to Reuters. Two Team USA members, a gymnastics alternate and tennis player Cori Gauff have already tested positive for the virus.

Apart from Jonathas, there are 18 other athletes from Massachusetts competing in the Tokyo games:

• Rashida Ellis of Lynn, boxing
• Michael Hixton of Amherst, diving
• Eli Dershwitz of Sherborn, fencing
• Andrew Mackiewicz of Westwood, fencing
• Austin Hack of Springfield, rowing
• Conor Harrity of Weston, rowing
• Andre Reed of Wayland, rowing
• Alexander Richards of Watertown, rowing
• Regina Salmons of Methuen, rowing
• Gevvie Stone of Newton, rowing
• Kristi Wagner of Weston, rowing
• Madison Hughes of Lancaster, rugby
• Kristi Kirshe of Franklin (born in Natick), rugby
• Kristie Mewis of Hanson, soccer
• Samantha Mewis of Weymouth, soccer
• Lindi Schroeder of Andover, artistic swimming
• Heather MaClean of Peabody, track and field
• Gabrielle Thomas of Florence, track and field