Callaghan helps U.S. win rowing gold

The Tualatin native comes up big during competition at the Pan Am Games

By Bill Wilson

The Times, Aug 23, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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From where it all started, there’s no way Chris Callaghan could’ve imagined this is where he could get.

And he’s not done yet.

The Tualatin native recently returned from the Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro where he earned gold in the men’s eight as a member of the U.S. rowing team.

Almost seven years ago, he was an incoming freshman attending orientation at Oregon State with no knowledge of the sport.

“The crew coach found me on campus and suggested I try out for the team,” Callaghan said. “Your first year you have no idea what’s going on. I was looking at the boat and an oar and going ‘What is this?’ Now it’s completely different. There’s so much more about it.”

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Callaghan, 25, continues to find that out as he progresses up the ladder. A dedication to rowing has him now seeking the grand prize — a spot on the 2008 Olympic team.

“To be on the national team and get the chance to race other teams representing the U.S.A., nothing beats that,” Callaghan said. “The Olympics is the ultimate goal. There’s nothing higher for rowing.”

The gold at the Pan Ams, in which the U.S. won the men’s eight race by nearly 11 seconds, was a continuation of success for the Wilsonville High School graduate. Callaghan took bronze in the men’s pair at the 2007 USRowing National Championships. That earned him a position in the 2-seat for the eight-man at the Pan Ams, which were held July 14-19.

It wasn’t a spot he was used to, but it was a spot nonetheless.

“Typically the 1-seat and 2-seat are more technical than powerful,” Callaghan said. “They set the boat up so everyone else can use their power more effectively. In my case, I didn’t really have anywhere else to sit. The two guys in the middle were Olympic medalists.”

The two-time national team member also finished fourth in the U.S. men’s four with coxswain at the 2006 World Championships.

“The Worlds are the bigger one and typically more challenging,” Callaghan said. “But it was definitely an honor to go to the Pan Ams. South America was a completely different experience.”

In many ways. For one, the team faced more demanding conditions then the calmer waters of North American regattas.

“We weren’t used to having waves coming at you,” Callaghan said. “We took one look at it and figured this is going to be fun. There was definitely a lot of water flying everywhere.”

Time out of the boat provided its own challenges in an area ripe with pickpockets and hold-ups.

“For security purposes, we weren’t allowed to adventure much,” he said. “It’s really a nice area. But bad things do happen.”

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