One of Folsom’s own is off to a strong start in her quest for Olympic gold in Paris this week. Veteran rower Michelle Sechser is one step closer to reaching medal contention after a strong performance in her first round of competition.
On Sunday, Sechser qualified for the next leg of competition in the Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls in Paris, an event slated for this Wednesday, July 31. Competing with teammate Molly Reckford, Sechser rowed her way to second place in the second heat of the day Sunday. The duo clocked a time of 7:12.65, a strong enough run to lock them into the semi-finals.
Sechser was originally featured by FolsomTimes back in April when she made the announcement that she would be returning to the Olympic Games this year. The announcement had many locals around Folsom talking about the longtime rower, someone they see as one of their very own competing on the world stage again.
Sechser’s first interest in the sport of rowing came when she was 14 years old. After she had watched her older sister enjoy the sport, she joined Folsom’s Capital Crew, and the rest is history with plenty of future as well. Now at 37, Sechser is making the trip to Paris to compete in the upcoming 2024 Olympics.
“When I started at Capital Crew, never in a million years did I think I would be a two-time Olympian,” said Sechser.
As previously reported, this marks Sechser’s second appearance representing Folsom at the Olympics, following her participation in the women’s lightweight doubles in Tokyo, where she finished fifth alongside Molly Reckford. Following her fifth-place finish in Tokyo, Sechser already had her sights set on another opportunity to compete at the Olympic level.
Now, Sechser is fulfilling her dream for the second time, showing unwavering dedication to the sport she loves. At the same time, she is taking the stage for a competition that will not be part of the next Olympics as the Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls is part of the games for the final time this week.
“It’s a really bittersweet feeling. I have a bit of heartbreak towards it. It’s obviously the only Olympic boat class for lightweight women, so seeing it go away is pretty sad,” Sechser shared in an interview just a few days prior to hitting the Paris waters. “However, I’m really excited that for Paris to get to be part of the last dance for it, I think will be actually something really special.”
Whether it was the last event of its type or not, Sechser and Reckford still have the same goal: to go for the gold. Now, doing so is somewhat “double special.”
“My goal is to make that Olympic final, knowing that I’ll be on that start line with the other five fastest countries in the world. And having one shot for the last time,” she said. “I think people build a little something special out of your sleeve knowing that it’s the last time it will ever happen.”
From her high school days to the present, Sechser has remained committed to rowing, continually adding to her impressive athletic career. Notable highlights include winning the lightweight double sculls at the 2021 World Rowing Final Olympic Qualification Regatta and securing a third-place finish in the 2011 Pan American Games. More recently, she claimed a silver medal in the 2023 World Championships, adding to her previous participations in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022, where she also earned a bronze medal in 2017.
After graduating locally, Sechser pursued her higher education at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, where she earned her MBA. During the off-season, she enjoys competing on land, particularly cycling and racing bikes. (Photos Courtesy US Rowing)
