Maryland Athletics Hall Of Fame Spotlight: Thea LaFond

Brady Ruth, Staff Writer 9/16/2026 “Who would have thought that falling in love with jumping into sand would lead to something so amazing?” Thea LaFond said. Maryland’s first Olympic medalist has nothing but gratitude and bewilderment for the legacy she has already built and continues to build upon. What she calls a “full-circle” story will unveil its latest chapter as she joins the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 16. “I don’t think it’s really truly set in yet,” LaFond said. “It feels really amazing. At the end of the day, I really just see myself as a kid…