See Meghan Musnicki's orginial "row2k Starting Five" questions here!
1. How have you prepared differently for this quadrennial than previous cycles?
I would say my preparation for this cycle was pretty similar to the last cycle.I think at any level, and especially the elite level, the key to making strides in your training and fitness is consistency.Its no secret that we put in the Ks so for me my goal is to be able to show up every day, day after day, and complete the workout.This time around I have the luxury of knowing what worked for me last time and what maybe didn't work so well so I can make small adjustments to my everyday routines to try and optimize my performance.
2. Did anything completely unexpected happen, or do you have any memorable or unusual stories from your previous Olympiad?
One of the most unique experiences I had from the last Olympics occurred the night after we won. My and Elle's families were out at a pub near the rowing village right across from Windsor Castle when we were approached by a local police officer. Turns out his wife is the daughter of the head of the Queens stables.Long story short, that night we got a private tour of the castle and the grounds.We pet the queens horses, saw her fleet of carriages, hung out with the guards in their quarters, it was all pretty surreal.
3. Any/Most important advice for first time Olympians?
My advice for first time olympians is the same advice I am giving myself; enjoy the moment. Appreciate where you are and what you are doing. It's pretty exceptional.
4. What was your state of mind like sitting in the starting block of your first Olympic race?
Sitting at the starting block for the final in London has to be the most nervous I have ever been for a race.I wanted nothing more than for that light to turn green so we could do what we had been training to do for so long.I distinctly remember Elle turning around to me, smiling, slapping me on the leg and saying, "lets do this, Moosie".
5. What's different this time around/what will you do differently at this Olympics?
What is different this time around?The personnel.Other than that nothing has really changed.As a group (2-, 4x, 8+) the goal is still the same, seize the opportunity set forth before us and see what we can do as a team.
6. Do you feel older/better/wiser/stronger/other?
Older, better, wiser, stronger? Older. I DEFINITELY feel older, or rather my body feels older! Haha.
7. As far as regattas go, comparing the olympics to different races (Worlds, Lucerne), is it a better or different regatta, or just higher stakes?
In terms of what we want to do there is no difference between the Olympics and a World Championships.The stage is bigger and more people are watching but as far as what our job is as athletes that doesn't change. (see question 5 :)) Â We have to stay focused on our task and not let all the outside 'noise' distract us from what we are there to do.
DATE OF BIRTH: 2/5/83
HEIGHT: 5’11”
WEIGHT: 175
BEGAN ROWING: St. Lawrence University, 2001
HOMETOWN: Naples, N.Y.
BIRTHPLACE: Naples, N.Y.
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Princeton, N.J.
HIGH SCHOOL: Canandaigua Academy, Canandaigua, N.Y.
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: Ithaca College, B.S. Psychology, 2005
TRAINING LOCATION: Princeton, N.J.
CURRENT COACH: Tom Terhaar
CLUB AFFILIATIONS: USRowing Training Center – Princeton
National Teams: SENIOR, 2010-2016
International Results: Won bronze in the pair and gold in the eight at the 2016 World Rowing Cup II...Won gold in the eight at the 2015 World Rowing Championships…Won gold in the eight in the 2015 World Rowing Cup 2…Won gold in the eight at the 2014 World Rowing Championships…Won gold in the eight at the 2014 World Rowing Cup 2…Won gold in the eight and finished fourth in the pair at the 2013 World Rowing Championships...Won bronze in the pair at the 2013 World Rowing Cup 3...Won silver in the pair and eight at the 2013 World Rowing Cup 1...Won gold in the eight at the 2012 Olympic Games...Won gold and set a world record (5:54.17) in the heat in the eight at the 2012 World Rowing Cup 2...Won gold in the eight at the 2011 World Rowing Championships...Finished fourth in the pair at the 2011 Rowing World Cup stop in Lucerne...Won the Remenham Challenge Cup and set the course record at the 2011 Henley Royal Regatta...Took silver in the pair at the 2011 Rowing World Cup stop in Munich...Won gold in the eight at the 2010 World Rowing Championships...Won gold in the eight and silver in the pair at the 2010 Rowing World Cup stop in Lucerne.
National Results: Finished second in the pair at the 2016 National Selection Regatta 1...Finished third in the pair at the 2015 National Selection Regatta 1...Finished seventh in the pair at the 2014 National Selection Regatta 1...Won the pair at the 2013 National Selection Regatta 2...Finished fourth in the pair at the 2012 National Selection Regatta 1...Won the pair at the 2011 National Selection Regatta 2...Won the pair at the 2010 National Selection Regatta 3…Finished third in the pair at the 2010 National Selection Regatta 2…Finished fourth in the pair at the 2010 National Selection Regatta 1.
Personal: Meghan enjoys baking, reading, shopping, and listening to music…She was a 2005 First-Team DIII All-American…Meghan lists her parents as the most influential people in her rowing career for their unconditional support in everything she does…After her rowing career, Meghan plans on attending nursing school to become a nurse practitioner.
Comments | Log in to comment |
There are no Comments yet
|
row2k's Olympics coverage is brought to you by:
row2k's Olympics coverage is brought to you by: