PARIS, France — Pieter Quinton graduated from Grant High School in Northeast Portland, and now after three years with the U.S. rowing team, he is headed to the Paris Olympics.
Quinton began rowing in the eighth grade for the Rose City Rowing Club, and after that his career took off. Quinton has rowed for both Harvard and the University of Washington before then joining the U.S. National team.
Though he began his rowing career late, it's the friendships he's built while on the boat that last with him.
"I really just took to the camaraderie on the boat, on the team. There's just something about being in a boat together that really bonds you incredibly quickly," Quinton said.
Being the closest rower to the coxswain, Quinton sets the rhythm and pace for the national team. In his three years with the national team, Quinton has participated in big events, but none are quite like the Olympics.
"There are no do-overs," Quinton said. "There's not next year, it's four years from now. We want to get it right."
Quinton's family has always supported him throughout his rowing career, and though the Olympics are halfway around the world, that won't change that one bit.
"My parents and my younger sister will be there," Quinton said. "I have a brother who's not going to be able to be there, but I'll still have a good family contingent there."
His brother has a pretty decent excuse for missing the Olympics, though. He's a defender for Real Salt Lake and has started six games for Salt Lake this season.
Though his brother won't be in attendance, Quinton hopes to bring home a medal for the U.S., which has not won a medal in the men's eight boat since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The men's eight boat races begin Monday, July 29 at 2:40 p.m. PST.