Markus Edegran '16 will begin his competition in the Men's Kite in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday, August 4. The first race starts at 6:13 a.m. Eastern time with live streaming coverage from Marseille provided by NBC through its Peacock platform. Full results and schedule can be found on the Olympic website.
Edegran joins a rich St. Mary's College of Maryland history of competing at the highest levels of international competition in sailing. Previous SMCM graduates with Olympic experience include Mark Ivey '99, who coached Sweden to a gold medal performance in the 2012 games; Scott Steele '81, who brought home a silver in windglider at the 1984 Olympics; Farrah Hall '03 (2012 and 2020 Olympics); Mayumi Roller '13 (representing U.S. Virgin Islands in 2012 Olympics); Jesse Kirkland '10 (representing Bermuda in the 2012 Olympics); and Bruce Merritt '84 (1984 and 1988 Olympics). Former students Paul Stoeken (representing U.S. Virgin Islands in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics) and Rodrigo Amado (representing Brazil in the 1996 Olympics and later as a Brazilian coach) round out the SMCM sailing Olympic competitors.
Current SMCM director of sailing and varsity sailing coach Bill Ward served as coach for the U.S. (Laser Class) in the 2008 Olympics. In addition, Jessica Deutchman Mohler '98 is serving as US Sailing team sports psychologist in the 2024 games. Leo Boucher '23 narrowly missed joining Edegran and Mohler in Marseille, as he finished second in the U.S. trials in the men's dinghy in February.
"From the first moment Markus Edegran expressed his desire to come to study at SMCM, he raised that it was his ultimate goal to represent the United States in the Olympic Games," noted Adam Werblow, director of the Waterfront and head varsity sailing coach. "As a Seahawk, he worked every day to become a better student, sailor and teammate--ultimately reaching the national podium at the 2016 College Sailing National Championships with the respect of his teammates and competitors alike."
"During his time at SMCM, Markus embodied all of the qualities of an Olympian. He is a superior athlete and a fierce competitor with the focus and drive to push himself to his personal limits," said Ward. "His Olympic event, Formula Kite, is at the cutting edge of sailing technology and requires athleticism and skill beyond most humans."
"Markus' genuine love of the water combined with his dedication to excellence has put him on the Olympic stage in Marseilles. We know he will make the most of this opportunity," Werblow added.
Image courtesy US Sailing.
