Karen & Horace Are Former Athletes

Publish date: 2024-05-20

Mallory Swanson parents, Karen and Horace Pugh, share a common love for track and field events. Her mother was a long-distance runner, whereas her father excelled in running and football.

Not to forget, Mallory’s older sister has also dipped her toes into sports. Just like Mallory, her sister is a soccer freak. Mallory, in fact, followed in the footsteps of her sister.

Although her parents didn’t play soccer, they didn’t hesitate to support their daughter’s decision to take up soccer as a career.

The 25-year-old forwarder Mallory Swanson plays for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

Earlier in 2017, she made her first-team debut with the Washington Spirit and played until 2019. Before joining her current team, she played for Sky Blue FC for a single season.

Not to forget, Mallory’s international career is much more remarkable than her club career.

The athlete represented the United States at several youth levels before making her senior team appearance in 2016.

At 17, Mallory debuted for the national team, becoming the youngest debut player since 2002. Her impressive debut performance qualified her for the 2016 Summer Olympics, where she scored her first Olympic goal.

Further, during the 2019 World Cup, Mallory played a crucial role in helping the team clinch the championship title.

Besides, the young champ holds the USWNT record for most assists ever recorded before age 20.

Mallory Swanson Parents

Mallory Swanson parents are Karen and Horace Pugh. She was born in Littleton, Colorado. Besides her, they have a daughter named Brianna Pugh.

Interestingly, she hails from a family with a strong sporting history; her parents and sister are former athletes. Given her athletic history, Mallory’s involvement in sports is evident.

Father Horace Pugh

The U.S. player’s father, Horace Pugh, is a former football player and sprinter who upholds an impressive collegiate career.

A Pueblo County high school graduate, Horace attended the Western State College of Colorado, graduating with a business and marketing degree.

While at Wester, he ranked among the top distance runners of the university. In the long jump, his best effort was 24-01, the university’s fifth-longest record.

Further, his unquestionable athletic ability earned him several notable honors, including an All-American honor.

However, following his graduation in 1987, he opted for a different career path away from the realm of sports.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he works as a business development manager at Caretaker Landscape and Tree Management.

Mother Karen Pugh

Mallory’s mother, Karen Pugh, is an elite athlete specializing in long-distance running.

She ran competitively in her Englewood High School days, actively participating in the track and cross country events.

Later, she enrolled at Metropolitan State University, graduating with a marketing degree.

However, during college, she only ran for fitness and conditioning rather than for competition.

Later, she incorporated swimming and biking into her daily running routine. However, lately, she prefers yoga over all other activities.

Growing up, Mallory too ran tracks with her mother; the mother-daughter duo excelled in the local 100m race. Well, we undoubtedly can see from whom Mallory picked up her pace.

Regarding her professional career, she serves as a paramedical examiner at American Para Professional System, Inc. In addition, she has previously worked for various companies as a mortgage loan processor.

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