For the past 4 years of high school I woke up at 4am every morning to practice for the big races and to better myself to be recruited as a D1 athlete. I spent more hours at the boathouse then I did at my own house. I created such a strong relationship with my teammates that they felt like my actual sisters. The thrill of the races and the closeness that I shared with my teammates is something I wish I could return to. My teammates and I practiced day and night in preparation for the National Championship.
As we make our way up the start line at the SRAA National Championship,the nerves intensify. With every squared blade buried deep into the water, the rower’s bodies are aligned with their oars, anxiously awaiting the start.The light goes off and I feel the boat move with such power as each stroke is taken. There is a rush of water beneath the crisp white shell I remind the rowers to sit up, and breathe. Each and every individual athlete sitting before me looks with deep concentration and dedication. I gently reminded them, "This is your last race as a high school athlete, what are you going to do about it?" The rowers are exhausted, and are feeling beat not knowing where they are in comparison to their competition. I find my rhythm and control as I correct and remind the athletes to do the same.
While the rowers push onward, I keep my voice controlled and remind them that pain is only temporary. As I make the calls to shift into a power state and slightly increasing the rate of the slide, the boat starts to move ahead. I tell the rowers, "You're in control now girls, pushing ahead!" The audience roars as the rowers breathe heavily. I turn my head to see that the boat I am sitting in is pushing from second to first place. All of the dedication and hard work put into practices is paying off. Reminding the athletes of the amount of time left and where their competition is what gets the rowers motivated. The athletes use every bit of energy and power left in them and push forward. I make the call telling them, "You're in first, give me everything you have left and take the gold".
Nothing can describe the way I feel when the boat crosses the finish line after winning gold. The athletes are crying from the pain and the accomplishment. I can see the sweat glistening on their tired bodies. Reaching back, I grab my bow seats hand saying, "I've never been so proud of you Tor, you deserve the title of being first in the Nation!". I feel like a proud mother knowing that the rowers in the boat have used everything they had to push through to win first.
This race plays through my mind all the time because now that I have graduated I can no longer go back to it. I wish I could return to the excitement and the dedication that was poured into this.
As we make our way up the start line at the SRAA National Championship,the nerves intensify. With every squared blade buried deep into the water, the rower’s bodies are aligned with their oars, anxiously awaiting the start.The light goes off and I feel the boat move with such power as each stroke is taken. There is a rush of water beneath the crisp white shell I remind the rowers to sit up, and breathe. Each and every individual athlete sitting before me looks with deep concentration and dedication. I gently reminded them, "This is your last race as a high school athlete, what are you going to do about it?" The rowers are exhausted, and are feeling beat not knowing where they are in comparison to their competition. I find my rhythm and control as I correct and remind the athletes to do the same.
While the rowers push onward, I keep my voice controlled and remind them that pain is only temporary. As I make the calls to shift into a power state and slightly increasing the rate of the slide, the boat starts to move ahead. I tell the rowers, "You're in control now girls, pushing ahead!" The audience roars as the rowers breathe heavily. I turn my head to see that the boat I am sitting in is pushing from second to first place. All of the dedication and hard work put into practices is paying off. Reminding the athletes of the amount of time left and where their competition is what gets the rowers motivated. The athletes use every bit of energy and power left in them and push forward. I make the call telling them, "You're in first, give me everything you have left and take the gold".
Nothing can describe the way I feel when the boat crosses the finish line after winning gold. The athletes are crying from the pain and the accomplishment. I can see the sweat glistening on their tired bodies. Reaching back, I grab my bow seats hand saying, "I've never been so proud of you Tor, you deserve the title of being first in the Nation!". I feel like a proud mother knowing that the rowers in the boat have used everything they had to push through to win first.
This race plays through my mind all the time because now that I have graduated I can no longer go back to it. I wish I could return to the excitement and the dedication that was poured into this.