“The double’s one of those finicky boats where just because you have the two fastest singles doesn’t necessarily make the fastest double,” Campbell explains. “There’s a lot of chemistry involved, so it’s important to try out a lot of different people and see, you know, who you gel the best with.”

Then comes the hard part. To make the Olympics, Campbell and his partner will first need to win the National Selection Regatta II and then place in the top two at the Final Olympic Selection Regatta. Because the US did not place in the top 11 at last week’s World Rowing Championships in the lightweight double, the winner of NSR II will need to place in the top two at the Final Olympic Selection Regatta, a last chance race between crews that did not qualify at Worlds.

“It’s a long road—by no means easy,” Campbell says.

But while challenges await him in the future, the rower is currently taking a well-deserved break before throwing himself into his next project.

“I’m taking a little bit of time off because it’s been such a crazy run,” he says.

To say the least.

—Staff writer Christina C. McClintock can be reached at ccmcclin@fas.harvard.edu.