Next up In The Driver's Seat—-where we hear from the folks who add that extra something to the teamwork of a crew—-is Athena Santana.

Athena, currently a junior at NSU University School in Florida, started out by rowing in the 8th grade--spending 2 years in the bow seat--before switching to coxing.

Her team is new, and Athena helped them to four historic firsts as the first-ever coxswain at the school to secure a 3rd place medal in the Men's Varsity Youth 4+ category at Florida States, to place 4th in the Southeast region, and to qualify for SRAA Nationals and Youth Nationals.

As Athena said when she contacted row2k about doing the "Driver's Seat" column: "I have played a pivotal role in transforming our small school team into a competitive force to be reckoned with."

Let's hop In The Driver's Seat with Athena:

row2k - Give us your top three essentials for being ready on Race Day:
Athena Santana - Making sure everything's set for race day is all about being thorough and focused.

First off, we go through the race plan one more time as a team. Then, I double-check everything – from our bow number to our equipment. Being on time for launch, knowing the race course, and wind direction helps me make smart decisions during the race.

Staying calm is key too. I believe my energy affects the whole boat, so before every race, we do this thing where we hold hands and look each other in the eyes. It actually triggers our brains to release feel-good chemicals like dopamine, which amps up our motivation and focus. Plus, it boosts oxytocin, making us feel more connected and trusting as a team. It might sound cheesy, but it helps us feel connected and ready to trust each other. Trust is crucial in a team; they need to trust me to lead, and I need to trust them to give their all and react to my calls.

Women's coxed quad performs the pre-race tradition before launching at the Head of the Charles in 2022 (photo credit: James Ross)

row2k - What is your favorite drill to run with your crews? Any tips on how to the drill well, for maximum effectiveness?
Athena Santana - My crew and I swear by the Reverse Pick Drill. It's a way to sharpen up our timing and placement of the blades. We start in fours or pairs, focusing on a high catch for the first quarter of the stroke. Then, it's legs only, followed by legs and body together.

It sounds simple, but it forces us to really feel the connection; it creates a smooth and powerful stroke throughout the entire boat.

Coxing the first ever race for her team at the Youth Nationals in 2023

row2k - What's some of the best coaching advice you've received about your coxing?
Athena Santana - The best coaching advice I've received is about finding the balance between pushing my crew to improve and being overly critical. It's easy to get caught up in pointing out every mistake, especially early in the season. But I've learned that less is more.

If I'm constantly yelling or nitpicking, my calls become less effective, and the team tunes me out. Instead, it's best to focus on what we're doing well and listening to the boat will lead to better results.

Helping to carry the boat at Head of the Hooch 2023 (photo credit: James Ross)

row2k - What is a mid-race call or move that you've made that you'll remember for the rest of your life?
Athena Santana - During the Head of the Hooch in 2023, in the Men's Varsity Youth 8+, I made a call that stuck with me. We were approaching the last bridge, and instead of following the usual path and hugging the buoy line for the entirety of the race, I took a different route that I thought would be faster. My decision shaved 26 meters off the race course.

With only 700 meters left and another crew in sight, fatigue was setting in. Technique was starting to get sloppy and power is nothing without blade work so, I rallied the boat with a simple "Let's look good on camera." It might seem silly, but it worked. Posture improved, and we caught up to the stern deck of the crew ahead. Then I said, "We don't sit here. We walk, hunt them down." That's exactly what we did, passing them and placing 23rd, the best our team has ever done in history. It was a proud moment for us.

In the coxswain seat at American Youth Cup 2024 in the women's Varsity 8+ (photo credit: Emma Gomez)

row2k - Can you tell us anything about what you've learned about how to call a good start?
Athena Santana - Starting strong is crucial because it sets the pace for the entire race. When I call for a good start, I focus on my tone of voice. At first, it's calm and steady, just like our initial strokes. But as we start to lengthen and strengthen our strokes, my voice gradually becomes more intense.

I match the rhythm of our rowing – starting slow and controlled, then gradually building up speed and power. This tactic helps the team sync up and move smoothly together. So, calling a good start isn't just about words; it's about tone.

Athena and her crew off the start at SRAAs in 2023

row2k - Tell us about the best race/practice you've ever had?
Athena Santana - One of the highlights of my rowing journey happened at Southeast Regionals in 2023. I was part of the men's varsity 4+ category, which is known to be highly competitive. This race was our shot at qualifying for Youth Nationals, a milestone our team had never reached before.

In the weeks leading up to the race, I focused on absorbing as much knowledge as I could, fixing calls, making a flexible race plan, and learning how to motivate my crew through tough moments. As we traveled to Gainesville, Georgia, the weight of our goal hung heavy in the air.

Looking down the starting line, we were surrounded by crews with impressive track records, and doubts crept in knowing we were from a small school with erg times not as fast. The race itself was intense, with every stroke counting. It was a close battle from start to the last 150 meter mark, but we managed to secure fourth place in an extremely close finish earning our ticket to Youth Nationals for the first time ever.

Racing in Gainesville at the SE Regionals (photo credit: James Ross)

This race taught me the power of perseverance and teamwork. It wasn't just about us in comparison to faster crews; it was about coming together as a boat and racing our own race. It's a memory I'll always cherish, a reminder that with determination and the bonds we shared, anything is possible on the water.

Thanks for riding along with Athena -- and, remember, this column is open to all "drivers" out there, so if you are an experienced coxswain at any level--from juniors to masters--and would be willing to invite row2k to join you in your ride, just contact us here. We’d love to hear from you about what you see from the Driver's Seat.