1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
I was a walk-on at Penn and the novice coach saw me and told me I could go to the Olympics. I said 'sure, sign me up.' I actually missed the first couple practices, but I finally got on the bus that took athletes down to the boathouse on the Schuylkill. I totally remember my first time in the boat. I was so dazzled by my surroundings, the Philadelphia skyline, Boathouse Row, the trees, I don't remember much about the rowing- until I punched the girl in front of me in the back with my oar over and over because I was looking around everywhere but in the boat. I've been getting better at that, though.
2. Was there a practice, race or other event when you fell in love with the sport, or when you knew you might not be too bad at rowing? When you thought you could make the national team?
I remember taking 'erg tests' my novice year, though not really knowing what was happening or what I was doing. My coach would stand behind me amazed at the splits I was pulling. I didn't have much of an aerobic base so I occasionally stopped in the middle and took a break at which time the coxswains and coaches would yell at me to keep going. Somehow even with those rests, I beat most of the team. My coaches told me that with some practice and a change in my mental approach (oh, ok, you're supposed to be in pain and keep rowing!) that I could take my rowing career beyond my years at Penn.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
One of my favorite practices was Halloween of 2007 when I wore a full stewardess costume over my unisuit in the single and threw peanuts at my teammates. I pinned my hat to my hair though the bottom of my dress kept getting caught in the slide. I kept laughing at how ridiculous I looked especially since Tom was coaching me. It's not easy to row when you're laughing and your dress is caught.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
There isn't anything that my teammates don't know about me and my rowing. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and I can't do any cool rowing tricks.
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
Keep rowing and keep pushing your limits, you'll learn a lot about yourself. And don't wear a stewardess costume, a prisoner costume is much easier to row in.
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