Evan Karakolis

Biography

Evan Karakolis had his dream of competing for Team Canada sparked by watching Dylan Armstrong throw at Beijing 2008. The 2013 junior national champion, he finished fourth at the senior Canadian championships in 2014. Competing for Rice University, he became the first Owl to earn NCAA Outdoor All-American honours in javelin since 1967 after finishing seventh at the 2014 NCAA Championships and winning the 2014 Conference USA title.

PERSONAL

Family: Parents Paul and Sandra… Older brother Adam competes in discus and was a finalist at the 2011 Junior Pan American Championships… Younger sister Dara… Getting into the Sport: Started doing track and field at age 14 after playing basketball seriously since he was 10… Wanted to try javelin because it looked cool but was then drawn to the ability to see measurable improvements on a daily basis… Outside Interests: Enjoys playing golf, watching sports, reading, and hanging out with friends… Likes playing volleyball and beach volleyball in the off-season… Works in a nanotechnology research lab at Rice University where he is majoring in mechanical engineering… Has worked, volunteered and trained at Variety Village for 10 years, inspired by being around people who have faced and overcome adversity with grace… Odds and Ends: Role model is Canadian record holder Scott Russell… Listens to Katy Perry before competing… Favourite motto: “If you’re not first, you’re last”…