History of Vermonters at the Summer Olympic Games

Editor's note:This story was originally published in 2016. It's been updated and edited with new information ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Vermonters have left tracks in the Winter Olympics snow for decades.

The state’s outsized influence on the Games is long-standing and well-documented. The history of Vermonters in the Summer Olympics, though lacking the depth of the quadrennial cold-weather competition, is rich and varied as well.

Since 1900, 27 Vermonters have participated in the Summer Games, according to research by the Free Press and Burlington resident Matt Moore, who has compiled his own list on a google doc.

Across more than a dozen sports, they have collected 14 medals, including six golds. The haul includes University of Vermont legend Albert Gutterson’s record-setting long jump in Stockholm 1912, equestrian Tad Coffin’s double-gold performance in Montreal and, most recently, equestrian Laura Graves’ team dressage bronze in Rio.

While thorough, the following list is a work in progress. The defining credential for Vermonters is to have spent a significant time in Vermont during youth. Email sports@burlingtonfreepress.com if you know of any potential additions to Vermont’s Summer Olympic history.

Vermont's all-time Summer Olympians

•Billy Bender, Norwich: The longtime Norwich resident and Dartmouth student is set to compete in the men's pair event (rowing) in Paris this summer.

•Doug Burden, Pawlet: Competed in the 1988, 1992 and 1996 Sumer Games in rowing. Took home bronze in men’s coxed eights (1988) and silver in men’s coxless fours (1992).

•Tad Coffin, Strafford: Captured a pair of gold medals at the 1976 Montreal Games in equestrian. Coffin and his horse Bally-Cor took home top honors in the three-day mixed event individual and team events.

•Frank Crowley, Proctor: Raced in the men’s 1,500-meter run at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles.

•Lea Davison, Jericho: The mountain biker competed at the 2012 London Games and is one of the U.S.’s medal hopefuls in Rio de Janeiro later this month.

•Mara DePuy, Strafford: Participated in the mixed three-day event (individual) at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

•Serena Eddy-Moulton, Burlington: Rowed in the women’s quadruple sculls at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

•Eric Evans, Putney: Finished seventh in men's kayak single slalom at the 1972 Munich Games.

•Juli Furtado, Londonderry: Raced in the first women’s mountain bike at the 1996 Atlanta Games. She competed in the cross-country event.

•Carlie Geer, West Fairlee: Won a silver medal in women's singles sculls at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

•Judy Geer, West Fairlee: Sister of Carlie, Geer competed in women's coxed fours at the 1976 Montreal Games and women's doubles sculls in 1984.

•Laura Graves, Fayston: The Harwood Union High School grad continued her meteoric rise in international dressage this week as she and her horse, Verdades, led the U.S. to a bronze medal in the team competition in Rio de Janeiro.

•Carissa Gump, Essex Junction: The weightlifter competed in nine events in the women’s middleweight division at the 2008 Beijing Games.

•Albert Gutterson, Andover: The University of Vermont graduate captured a gold medal at the 1912 Stockholm Games, setting a then-Olympic record in the men’s long jump.

•Ernest Harmon, West Newbury: Competed in the modern pentathlon at the 1924 Paris Games. He later was a Commanding General in World War II and served as president of Norwich University.

•Brett Heyl, Norwich: Competed in the men’s kayak singles (slalom) at the 2004 Athens Games.

•Jarvis Hunt, Weathersfield: At age 40, Hunt, part of the renowned Hunt family of architects and politicians in Vermont, competed in the early rounds of the 1904 St. Louis Games in golf.

•Ilona Maher, Burlington: A three-sport star from Burlington High School, Maher is set to compete in second straight Olympics for the U.S. women's rugby sevens squad. In 2021, Maher and Team USA finished sixth in Tokyo.

•Kelli McMullen-Temple, Charlotte: A member of Canadian’s Olympic Team at the 1992 Atlanta Games, where she competed in equestrian’s mixed three-day event (individual) and mixed three-day event (team). An University of Vermont graduate.

•Brooke Mooney, Peru: Competed with the women’s eights in rowing at the 2021 Tokyo Games, where they placed fourth.

•Trevor Moore, North Pomfret: Part of a two-man sailboat representing USA in men’s 49er races at the London Games in 2012. Moore, 30, died last summer when his body wasn’t recovered off the shores of Naples, Florida.

•Judi St. Hilaire, Lyndonville: The former University of Vermont star ran in the women’s 10,000 meters at the 1992 Games in Barcelona.

•Elle St. Pierre, Montgomery: The former Richford High School record-setter and dairy farmer is a two-time U.S. Olympian in track and field. St. Pierre placed 10th in the 1,500 at the Tokyo Games in 2021. She is a medal contender this summer in Paris in the same track discipline.

•Dick Sheldon and Lewis Sheldon, Rutland: The brothers combined for four medals at the 1900 Paris Games. Dick captured gold in shot put and bronze in discus, while Lewis earned a bronze medal in both high jump and triple jump.

•Will Voigt, Cabot: The former Frost Heaves coach is in charge of Nigeria’s men’s national basketball team at the 2016 Rio Games.

•Andrew Wheating, Norwich: The NCAA track and field champion ran the 800 meters at the Beijing Games (2008) and then ran the 1,500 meters at the London Games (2012).

•Terry White, Peru: The Middlebury College graduate competed in the men’s singles kayak and doubles at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. Four years later in Seoul, he participated in the kayak doubles and kayak fours.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.