PARIS - Former Eph Kristi Kirshe's Olympic bronze medal performance with the US Women's Rubgy Sevens team highlighted the performances of six NESCAC athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Alex Grand’Pierre (Bowdoin) – Haiti Swimming
Alex Grand’Pierre, a member of Bowdoin College’s Class of 2025, represented Haiti in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Competing in the 100-meter breaststroke, he finished fourth in his heat with a time of 1:02.85, narrowly missing the semifinals. Grand’Pierre also participated in the Opening Ceremonies, taking part in the boat ride down the River Seine. He is the third member of his family to compete in the Olympics, following in the footsteps of his sister Emilie (Bowdoin Class of 2023). Grand'Pierre is a multi-time New England Small College Athletic Conference champion, an NCAA Division III All-American, and holds several Haitian records.
 
Andre Matias (Hamilton) – Angola Rowing
Andre Matias, a Hamilton College alum (Class of 2012), competed in his second Olympics in Paris, representing Angola in the men’s single sculls event. Matias raced four times in the Olympic Regatta, placing second in the Final F race.
 
Jesse Grupper (Tufts) – United States Climbing
Jesse Grupper, a Tufts graduate (Class of 2019), competed in the bouldering event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He finished outside the top eight with 18.9 points and did not advance to the final. Grupper qualified for the Games by winning gold in the boulder and lead competition at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. Climbing was introduced as an Olympic sport in Tokyo three years ago.

David Liebenberg (Tufts) – United States Sailing
Tufts University alum David Liebenberg (Class of 2014) made his Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games, competing in the Mixed Multihull event for Team USA. Alongside his partner Sarah Newberry, Liebenberg finished 16th overall, with their best performance being a third-place finish in race 10.
 
Kristi Kirshe (Williams) – United States Women’s Rugby Sevens
Kristi Kirshe, a former All-American soccer player at Williams College (Class of 2017), played a pivotal role in helping the USA Women’s Rugby Sevens team secure a historic bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Team USA defeated Australia in a thrilling match, scoring on the final play to clinch the medal, marking the first-ever American podium finish in rugby sevens.
 
Maggie Shea (Conn. College) – United States Sailing
Connecticut College alum Maggie Shea (Class of 2011) and her teammate Stephanie Roble finished 10th in the women’s skiff (49er FX) event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competing in Marseille, the duo made it through the opening series to qualify for the medal race.