1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
I first started rowing as a family activity. My parents learned we could take a family learn to row class on lake Sammamish. They sent the four of us out in Alden singles and we (very slowly) made our way around the lake. From there I joined the summer rec team (three week sessions). I found that I liked rowing and had some natural ability at is so I decided to join the competitive junior team in the fall. The first time I went out with the junior team, I was put into a coxed four with some of the "older" guys. I was so nervous that I grabbed the wrong oar. Luckily one of my boat mates noticed and swapped my starboard our for a port. Thankfully that story didn't follow me through my career.
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 believe that I was in the 3V8+ at the 2005 Northwest Regionals. All I remember was being in the middle of a heated race with another crew. There were several lead changes and we it was tight the whole way down. I remember we came out on top in the last few hundred meters. The funny thing is, I don't even remember if we actually won the race. In fact, we could have been battling for fourth for all I remember. I just remember that feeling of close racing and working together to beat another boat.
I thought I could make the Senior team by the time I was a Junior in college and I thought I could/wanted to make the U23 team by the time I finished my freshman year in college. Before those times, I hadn't given much thought to either.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
Best Race: It is close because each one has a special meaning for me. I would say that it is a three part answer between the 2016 Qualification Regatta, 2011 IRA and 2009 IRA. The olympic qualifier because we obviously qualified to go to the olympics. The 2011 IRA was special because it was my last race as a UW Oarsman and we won in a fairly decisive fashion when we took our "double barrel shotgun" move in the third 500. The 2009 IRA was special because it was the first big race I had ever won and we did it by walking back from almost a length down to Cal in the last 750 meters.
Worst Race: The one that sticks out in my mind was the 2014 Quad Trials. It is not because of the result as the Craftsbury boat was solid. It was more the way we lost. From stroke one we were out of it entirely. The wheels never actually fell off because they were never on in the first place. I strongly considered stopping rowing after that. I had to take at least six weeks to screw my head back on and get back into a boat.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
I raced a quad with my entire family at the 2009 Greenlake Summer Extravaganza. We were entered in a masters mixed quad and won! Later that day I raced a double with my younger sister, Allie, and we won that event as well. We used those pictures for our Christmas card that year. Also, at the training center, they call me Chief SNAH (Chief for short) because that is my gamer tag when we play four on four "Age of Empires" in Chula Vista. I got that from my great grandfather(also named Hans) who used it to sign the totem poles he would carve as a hobby. The problem is he was a very Scandinavian looking man with the name Hans. So he spelt Hans backwards to sound more authentic to the local Seattle population.
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
Focus on the stroke/step you are on. Too many time we get concerned about what comes next that we forget to do the simple thing that is right in front of us. I didn't originally desire to row for the national team or even in college. I simply wanted to get better and make the JV. Then I wanted to make the Varsity. Then I wanted to get into UW and make the Frosh 8+ and so forth. Make the most of the opportunity that is right in front of you and be the best version of yourself in this moment and you will be surprised how far that will take you.
Hometown: Kirkland, Wash.
Current Residence: Princeton, N.J.
Club Affiliation: USRowing Training Center - Princeton
Began Rowing: Sammamish Rowing Association, 2004
Date of Birth: 3/31/89
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 200
High School: Bellevue Christian High School
Undergraduate Education: University of Washington, Business, 2011
Current Coach: Luke McGee
National Teams: Five – 2009-10, Under 23; 2013, 2015-16 Senior
International Results: Won bronze in the eight at the 2016 World Rowing Cup II...Won the eight at the 2016 Final Olympic Qualification Regatta...Finished 12th in quadruple sculls at the 2015 World Rowing Championships...Finished 12th in the quadruple sculls at the 2015 World Rowing Cup 2…Finished 13th in the quadruple sculls at the 2013 World Rowing Championships...Finished tenth in the quadruple sculls at the 2010 World Rowing Under 23 Championships...Finished 17th in the quadruple sculls at the 2009 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.
National Results: Finished fourth in the pair at the 2016 National Selection Regatta I...Won the quadruple sculls at the 2015 Senior World Championship Trials II...Won the quadruple sculls at the 2015 National Selection Regatta 1…Won the single at the 2013 USRowing West Coast Fall Speed Order...Won the quadruple sculls at the 2013 World Championships Trials…Finished second in the varsity eight at the 2010 IRA Championships…Won the varsity eight at the 2009 IRA Championships…Finished second in the quadruple sculls at the 2009 USRowing National Championships…Finished second in the freshmen eight at the 2008 IRA Championships…Won the pair at the 2008 USRowing Club National Championship…Won the junior eight in the 2007 USRowing Club National Championship…Finished third in the quadruple sculls at the 2006 USRowing Youth National Championships.
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