In the opening weekend of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Princeton athletes have officially gotten into the swing of things. As of July 28, 11 out of the 25 Tigers competing have begun participation in their respective events.
Nearly all of the 11 athletes played in qualifying and preliminary round matches for their respective sports. In most sports, qualifying rounds determine who advances to the knockout portions of each event. Typically, the top finishers in group play earn higher seeds in knockout rounds, as the competition shifts to all-or-nothing, single-elimination matches later in the Olympics.
This weekend, all Princeton athletes competed in qualifying rounds and group stage play, with the exception of Hadley Husisian ’27, who fenced in the Women's Épée knockout-style tournament.
The weekend was marked by triumphs, and a few shortfalls for the Tigers. While Princeton has had a strong start securing finals spots in the water, most of “Team Princeton” is yet to start play. The Tigers will resume competing in events on Monday the 29th, beginning with women’s sabre fencing at 3 a.m. EST, followed by men’s foil fencing, men’s and women’s rowing, water polo, and field hockey.
Fencing, Women’s Épée
Of the seven Princeton fencers at the Paris Olympics, Hadley Husisian ’27 was the first to compete. In her first bout on Saturday, she defeated Pauline Brunner of Switzerland by a score of 12–11.
A close competition the entire way, Husisian came back from an early 5–2 deficit to tie the score at 6–6. After much back and forth, Husisian took her first lead early in the third period, 9–8. Husisian emerged victorious in overtime, defeating Brunner 12–11.
Husisian’s next bout came mere hours after the first, this time against Hong Kong’s Vivian King Man Wai, a heavy favorite in the division. Despite the valiant efforts of Husisian, Kong jumped out to an early lead and sustained it throughout the bout, ultimately defeating the Tiger 15–11 in the round of 16.
Still, Husisian has more time on the strip to go, and will now shift her focus to the Team Women's Épée event on Tuesday morning.
Husisian did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
Princeton fencers will continue competing in the early hours of July 29, beginning with women’s sabre, followed by men’s foil.
Rowing, Women’s Quad Scull
Competing in her second Olympics for Great Britain, Princeton alumna Hannah Scott ’21 helped lead her team to victory in Heat 2 of the women’s quad scull.
With a time of 6:13.35, Scott and Great Britain defeated Germany, Switzerland, and the United States to advance to the finals on Wednesday, July 31st. In the finals, Scott and Great Britain will race against the Netherlands, Germany, Ukraine, and the winner of the Monday's Repechage race.
Water Polo
Ashleigh Johnson ’17 and Jovana Sekulic ’26 helped to propel the United States to victory on Saturday, defeating Greece in a comfortable 15–6 victory. In goal, Johnson made 10 saves before getting subbed out with a large lead in the third quarter. At center, Sekulic netted two goals in the win.
Johnson, Princeton’s all-time record holder for saves, is competing in her third Olympic games and looking for her third straight gold. Sekulic, on the other hand, has played in three world competitions with the US squad prior to Paris, but is competing in her first Olympics.
Johnson and Sekulic will continue group stage play against Spain on July 29th at 9:35 a.m. EST.
Field Hockey
In their first match of the Games, Team USA and Beth Yeager ’26 struggled to get their offense going and fell to Argentina by a score of 4–1. Despite the loss, Yeager earned a spot in the starting lineup and played 32 minutes of the game, attempting three shots.
Yeager and Team USA will play their next match in Pool B against Spain on July 29th at 7:15 a.m. EST.
Rowing, Men’s Quad Scull
Competing for Norway, Jonas Juel ’22 made his Olympic debut in the quad scull on July 27th.
With his squad coming in fourth place in Heat 1 behind the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Germany with a time of 5:50.48, the team will compete for a spot in the finals in the repechages, or second-chance heats, on July 29th at 5:20 a.m. EST.
Rowing, Women’s Single Scull
Princetonian Kathleen Noble ’18 made history as the first Ugandan Olympic rower, competing in the early mornings of July 27 and 28.
In her first race, Noble finished in fifth place in Heat 1 with a time of 8:08.90, behind rowers from Australia, Spain, South Africa, and Iran.
Still looking to qualify for the finals, Noble competed in the repechages on July 28, needing to finish in first or second place. Unfortunately, the Ugandan rower finished third, just missing the finals with a time of 8:15.10.
Rowing, Men’s Pair
In his second Olympic Games for Great Britain, Tom George ’18 competed in men’s pairs, earning a win in Heat 3 over teams from South Africa, Germany, and Australia with a time of 6:33.88. This was the first hurdle for George’s attempt to get back on the podium after a Tokyo bronze, and he will move on to the semifinals.
George will try to secure a finals spot on July 31st.
Rowing, Women’s Four
Princeton rowing alumni Emily Kallfelz ’19 and Kelsey Reelick ’14 competed for team USA in the women’s four on July 28th, coming in fourth place in Heat 1 with a time of 6:49.66.
Looking for a spot in the finals, the duo will compete in the repechages on July 30th at 5:30 a.m. EST.
Rowing, Men’s Four
In his second Olympics for Team USA, Nick Mead ’17 helped to lead his team to victory in Heat 2 of the men’s four. With a time of 6:04.95, Mead’s group triumphed over Australia, France, and Switzerland.
Mead will compete in the finals on August 1st.
Lily Pampolina is a staff Sports writer and contributing Audience creator for the ‘Prince.’
Please send corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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