Inside the Shell with Dani Yuska

March 28, 2012

Dani Yuska never knew she would be on a rowing team, especially in college. Now that she’s a Cane, however, she loves it. Both the friends and the memories she’s made will last her a lifetime. To her, the U is a family. Here is her story.

I joined the rowing team at the beginning of my freshman year. I went to an interest meeting and decided to try it out. I liked it, and so I continued. And here I am today.

I had no idea I would be interested in rowing. I never would have guessed. I just wanted to see what it was like because I thought it would be interesting. It’s a different sport, a racing sport. I like being on a team, and I like the atmosphere.

In 10 years I see myself working in a hospital as a nurse. I’ll hopefully be married with a family. My dream job is a certified nurse anesthesiologist. You have to work for a year before you can even apply, so we’ll see.

Living in Miami is awesome. I was just thinking that to myself yesterday. I’m so lucky to be here. I love it. I honestly want to live here permanently.

After a stressful day of training, I literally sit in my bed and I don’t get up. It’ll be during the day, and I’ll just watch TV, go on my computer and go to bed really early. It’s so relaxing, it’s the best feeling.

If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to Italy, or maybe Australia. Anywhere outside of the U.S. would be cool to visit.

My favorite Coach Carter saying is “get your ‘go fast pants’ on.”

When I look back on my childhood I will always think of my dog. Her name was JJ, and she was a Pomeranian. We used to dress her up.

My guilty pleasures are the shows “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice.” If I’m behind on those shows I’ll watch a marathon until I catch up.

I am afraid of all marine life, so even dolphins kind of freak me out. They don’t really come that close to us, though. One time a giant school of fish was jumping in the water and jumped into our Varsity boat. I wasn’t in the boat, but it was crazy. The girls had to scoop the fish out with their hands!

I believe in karma. If a lot of bad stuff is happening to you, it just means something good is going to happen soon. I think the word I would use is spiritual.

Rowing has made me expect more of myself. It’s shown me that I’m capable of more than I thought I was.