1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
I was turned on to rowing initially by my cousin Kathryn Flores (formerly Quadracci) who also started rowing at Brown as a novice. I was interested in trying a new sport and being a college freshman I also felt that I would meet people with similar interests. I remember my first practice vividly. We didn't go anywhere near a boat or an erg. We ran around the outskirts of a park many times with our coach, Scott Roop. Each lap was interrupted by several sets of push-ups and sit-ups. Afterward, it was the most sore I had ever been.
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?
In 1994 when I was a sophomore at Brown, a week before our first race, I was given my chance to make the varsity by seat racing in coxed fours. Fortunately, I was able to win my race and claim a seat in the varsity. Steve Gladstone put me in at stroke and I stayed there for the season. National Team aspirations were still distant in my mind, but I gained confidence that spring rowing with guys like Jamie Koven and Igor Boraska.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
I would have to say my worst race was the 1995 Sprints when I knew we had the best boat, but we completely underperformed and lost. My best race was at the Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne this year in the men's quad, when after we crossed the 1000 meter mark, I knew we had it. I knew that I was finally on my way to the Olympics.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
The best thing I've done that no one except for Porter Collins really knows about was during a practice in San Diego in 1996. Porter and I were rowing a pair on our weak sides. We were busy yelling at each other all practice out of frustration when all of a sudden we ran into a partially submerged V-shaped tree sticking out of the lake close to the shore. We rowed directly into the middle of the V and it shot us back into the opposite direction like a sling shot. Porter, who was in bow had a V-shaped welt on his back for a few days. After that happened we both shut up and hoped that no one else noticed what had just happened.
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
Rowing and competing can uncover things you didn't know you had. You will never be more alive than when you are sitting at the starting line.
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