Going for the Gold with Markus Edegran '16

US Sailing Team Athlete

Hometown

West Palm Beach, Florida

“The environment of the sailing team and the level to which we pushed each other every day on the water [and] after classes [helped prepare me for the Olympics]... [It] definitely was a special time and definitely the best team I’ve been a part of.”

A person wearing a USA jersey and helmet rides a kiteboard on the ocean, with blurred boats and coastline in the background.

Markus Edegran '16 finished 9th in the men's formula kite at the 2024 Paris Olympics, his first Olympic competition.

Edegran qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the men's kite at the Last Chance Regatta in Hyères, France, April 20-27. Edegran previously won the U.S. Olympic trials in the event, but the U.S. still had to qualify for an Olympic slot. Edegran earned his ticket to Paris 2024 by a 4th place finish at the Last Chance regatta.

Edegran has been a consistent winner in competitive sailing, including during his time at SMCM. "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."

(Edegran quote from Pressbox - link opens in new window. Photo courtesy US Sailing.)