1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
I was excited to try something new after Wisconsin's head coach Chris Clark encouraged me to come down to the boathouse freshmen year. I figured it was a great opportunity to be on a team, get tan, and finally grow some biceps. It turns out I do have a lot of great teammates but I'm still rocking the farmers tan and waiting for those biceps to show up.
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 wouldn't say I am in love with rowing. I do it for the challenge, the team, and because there is nothing quite like winning a rowing race. I can't get that any where else so its good that I am alright at the sport.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
There will always be good rows and bad rows. The worst ones are when you work hard and don't go fast and the best ones are when you work hard and do go fast. Either way they are all hard.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
I once did a rowing marathon in Natchitoches, Louisiana while I was at Wisconsin. It took us two hours and thirty one minutes to finish. We checked with the Guinness book of world records and they didn't have a previous record so I guess you can say we set the world record.
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
Just have fun with it. There is no magic workout so just stay active and work on your fitness. When it comes down to it just be willing to work harder than the next guy.
Birthplace: Alamosa, Colo.
Hometown: DeKalb, Ill.
Current Residence: Chula Vista, Calif.
Club Affiliation: USRowing Training Center – Chula Vista
Began Rowing: University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2005
Date of Birth: 8/17/87
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 1958
High School: DeKalb High School
Undergraduate Education: University of Wisconsin, Madison, B.S. in Biological Systems Engineering, 2010
Occupation: Engineering Consultant
Employer: Next-Gen Wind
Current Coaches: Tim McLaren, Mike Teti
Years on National Team: Four - 2008, Under 23; 2009, 2011-12, Senior
International Results: Won the eight at the 2012 Final Qualification Regatta...Finished second in the eight at the 2011 E.ON Hanse Canal Cup…Finished eighth in the eight at the 2011 World Rowing Championships…Finished fourth in the eight at the 2011 Rowing World Cup stop in Lucerne...Reached the semifinals of the Grand Challenge Cup at the 2011 Henley Royal Regatta...Finished ninth in the four at the 2010 Rowing World Cup stop in Lucerne…Finished ninth in the eight at the 2009 World Rowing Championships…Finished seventh in the eight at the 2009 Rowing World Cup stop in Lucerne…Won gold in the eight at the 2008 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.
National Results: Won the varsity eight at the 2008 Eastern Sprints and IRA Championships.
Personal: Ross’s hobbies include competitive marksmanship…He was a High Power Rifle Marksmanship National Champion in 2006…Ross’s twin brother, Grant, is also a national team rower and Olympic hopeful…Ross’s most memorable sporting achievement was winning the IRA Championship in 2008, which he describes as a rewarding college rowing experience culminating in an all-American crew overcoming the traditional rowing powerhouses…His personal hero is his mother, and he aspires to have her strength of will…Ross walked on to the rowing team in college because he wanted a competitive sport with a great team environment, and stayed when he discovered that there’s nothing quite like winning a rowing race…The most influential person in Ross’s sporting career was his Wisconsin coach, Chris Clark, whom Ross says has been the driving force behind his rowing success…Ross hopes to win an Olympic gold medal and to pursue a career in engineering after rowing.
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