1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
My older brothers rowed at Purdue, so even though we didn't have a junior rowing program, I always knew I wanted to walk on in college. I remember loving the feeling of being on the water and the chaos of strong women figuring out what to do. And I remember my legs burning - rowing is harder than I had thought!
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 fell in love with rowing my very first practice on the water, but it took me a while to see where it would take me. A big turning point for me was when I broke 7 minutes on my 2k during my Junior year at Purdue. As a club program, Purdue doesn't get many big ergs, so it was like a victory for the whole team. That's when my coach explained to me how the national team worked, and my teammates pushed me to apply for U23 selection camp.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
My two favorite wins were 2015 World Championships in the USA Woman's quad and 2011 Dad Vail regatta in the Purdue women's 8 for the same reason. Both were special because we weren't expected to win and lost in the heats, but won the final. We didn't let the shaky start take our confidence, in fact it sparked a fire because we knew we had more to give. I live for that indescribable feeling at the start line when you feel in the whole boat that you're about to do something big together. Then the disbelief and pure happiness when you cross in first with your friends.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
11 minutes and 11 seconds into every erg piece I do, I make a wish to stay healthy and then a promise to myself to keep getting faster.
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
Learn from your teammates. I'm insanely lucky to get to train with the strongest rowers in the world, but every team has talented and motivated athletes. Throughout my rowing career I've tried to learn and mimic the best qualities in each of my teammates. Why does she have the best erg scores? Why does she move pairs so well? Why does my coach always put her in stroke seat? Everyone has something special to bring to the team. We are always pushing each other and drawing off one another's strengths to do what none of us could do alone.
DATE OF BIRTH: 3/13/91
HEIGHT: 5’11”
WEIGHT: 170
BEGAN ROWING: 2009, Purdue University
HOMETOWN: West Lafayette, Ind.
BIRTHPLACE: West Lafayette, Ind.
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Princeton, N.J.
HIGH SCHOOL: Harrison High School, 2009
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: Purdue University, Biology major, 2013
GRADUATE EDUCATION: University of Michigan, Program in Biomedical Sciences, 2018
TRAINING LOCATION: Princeton, N.J.
CLUB AFFILIATIONS: US Training Center–Princeton
National Teams: SENIOR: 2015-2016, UNDER 23: 2012-2013
International Results: Won gold in the eight at the 2016 World Rowing Cup II...Won gold in the quadruple sculls at the 2015 World Rowing Championships…Won bronze in the quadruple sculls at the 2015 World Rowing Cup 2…Won gold in the eight at the 2013 World Rowing Under 23 Championships...Won gold in the eight at the 2012 World Rowing Under 23 Championships...Finished second in the senior division at the 2011 Women’s Henley Regatta.
National Results: Finished third in the pair at the 2016 National Selection Regatta 1...Finished second in the double sculls at the 2015 National Selection Regatta I...Finished fifth in the varsity eight at the 2014 NCAA Championships...Finished second at the 2013 SIRA Regatta...Won the varsity eight at the 2011 ACRA Championships and the 2011 Dad Vail Championships.
Personal: Amanda enjoys reading, cooking, baking, and playing word games…She was Purdue University’s Most Valuable Oarswoman in 2012 and 2013 ... A 2014 All-Big Ten First Team member ... A 2014 CRCA All-American second team … Amanda was a ACRA First Boat All-American in 2011, 2012 and 2013…In high school, Amanda competed in gymnastics, track and cross country and was named the Harrison High Female Athlete of the Year in 2009, as well as class valedictorian…Both of her brothers rowed at Purdue…She lists her novice coach, Jen Stump, as the most influential person in her sporting career.
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