Joining the club rowing program at Baylor was one of the best decisions I made at university. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I was already familiar with rowing, since my father and sister both rowed in high school and college, but I came to Baylor as a track and field athlete. Wanting to stay involved in a team sport, I joined as a novice rower in the fall of my freshman year. I loved traveling across the South to compete against other clubs and learning the fundamentals of the sport.
I also got involved in leadership early. As regatta chair, I organized and hosted our two home regattas each year: a head race in the fall and a sprint in the spring. The regattas generated revenue for the team and served the southern rowing community, drawing in hundreds of athletes.
As I progressed to varsity rower, I went on to serve as vice president and then president. In those roles, I guided the team’s overall direction and kept us safe and compliant with university policy. I’ve enjoyed serving my teammates, and I’m proud to leave the club stronger than I found it for the rowers of the future.
One of my first regattas with the team. Trailer all packed and loaded after a long day of racing.
On very rare occasions, I’d get the opportunity to cox boats in morning practice. The Brazos river by campus is gorgeous as the sun is rising and all the bridges and buildings are lit up.
I have a lot of respect for our coxswains and what they do, but ultimately, if I’m getting up at 5am everyday, I’d rather get a workout in.
My favorite time on the water is solo in the single. Team boats are our bread and butter, but after a long day of exams or work, a few hours alone on the river is how I’d recharge.
Some of my best experiences on the team happened behind the scenes. As a student-led club, we collectively took on the roles of coach, executive director, and equipment manager, all while continuing to row.
One of my favorite examples was acquiring a pair of used eight-person shells. Our club couldn’t afford new boats, which cost in the mid five figures, but we found a good deal on used ones in the Pacific Northwest. We had to coordinate everything ourselves: borrowing a trailer, renting a truck, arranging payment, and handling the transport. A couple of 20-year-olds pulled it off.
A club like ours only survives when students refuse to sit back and take initiative. That environment builds maturity and leaders.
My sister goes to UW Seattle, but she came down for a weekend to race a 2x with me at a local regatta!
Hosting regattas meant long, cold days setting buoys and moving docks. Regatta weeks were a hard push, but seeing the joy on race day, from our teammates and our competitors alike, made it all worth it.
Crew is a complicated, logistics-heavy, expensive sport. Equipment constantly wears out and breaks, and without a boathouse manager, it’s up to the students to keep the boats on the water and the ergs running. During my time, I handled outboard motor service, composite repair, parts replacement, equipment upgrades, and helped keep our trailers in safe, working order.
Dear Baylor Crew,
As I prepare to say my farewell in the coming months, I want to thank you for four years of early mornings, cold docks, and some of the best friendships of my life. Leading this club has taught me more than any classroom could, and I’m proud of what we built together. I can’t wait to watch where you take it next.
