Chris Carlson, a key member of the Marist men’s rowing team from 2015 to 2017, secured a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
Carlson rowed in the 5-seat of the USA Heavyweight Eight, finishing with a time of 5:25.28.
This marked Carlson’s Olympic debut, and he has now competed on six U.S. National teams.
“It starts out as a dream. I watched Michael Phelps in 2008 when he won eight gold medals. You hold onto that Olympic dream for a really long time,” said Carlson of his win. “I was really grateful for all the messages and support from the Marist community, my teammates from Marist, and the athletics department.”
At Marist, Carlson rowed in both the Varsity Four and Varsity Eight. In both seasons, he participated in the IRA Championships with the Varsity Four and won the MAAC championship in the Varsity Eight in 2016. He also set a new school record in the 2K Erg test, breaking a record that had stood for over 15 years.
In the summer of 2017, Carlson was chosen to compete in the U.S. Rowing U23 National Team Selection Camp. The previous year, he rowed with the U23 development team at Vesper Rowing Club.
Originally from Bedford, New Hampshire, Carlson rowed at Brewster Academy, where he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. He later completed his collegiate rowing career at the University of Washington.
“This past summer it was exhilarating for me personally and for the members of the program and his classmates to watch Chris represent the USA on the world stage,” said Rowing Coach Campbell Woods. “Chris has a special genetic gift for rowing with high strength and stamina but it’s important to note that talent alone does not make an athlete; Chris was driven to succeed, and he was relentless in his pursuit of his training.”