At Miami: Three-year letterwinner… competed with the varsity and second varsity eight in 2004-05competed …gold medalist in the open quad and bronze medalist in the Club eight at the Head of the Hooch…took fourth place in the junior varsity petite final at the San Diego Crew Classic…silver medalist in the junior varsity eight and four at the FIRA State Championships…competed with the Varsity four in 2003-04…gold medalist at the 2004 FIRA State Championships…silver medalist at the 2004 BIG EAST Championships…gold medalist in Freshman/Novice 8+ at the 2003 FIRA State Championships…bronze medalist with Freshman/Novice 8+ at the 2003 BIG EAST Championships…finished third in doubles at the 2002 Chattahoochee Chase Cup…finished fourth with the Second Varsity 9+ at the 2002 FIRA State Championships…first place Women’s Championship Doubles at 2002 Head of Creed…enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences.Tampa Catholic High School: Coached by Pat Huey…team captain…three year varsity letterwinner women’s rowing…coxed in Boy’s Novice Four for second place at Milo’s Roundup…stroked Girl’s Varsity for third place at The Halloween Regatta…track coach Nicki Di Maggio…four-year varsity letterwinner in women’s track, 330 yard and 110 yard hurdles specialist and four time district competitor; two top three finishes; two time regional competitor…earned AP Scholar, President’s Award for Academic Excellence…Female Athletic Scholar of the Year, 2001-02…Florida Academic Scholar-Bright Futures Scholarship Award winner, 16 consecutive High Honors Awards from Tampa Catholic High School…Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee, 2001…”Who’s Who of American High School Students” Multiple Year Honoree: 2000, 2001, 2002…National Honor Roll Inductee, 2001…Outstanding Community Service award, 2002…active member of National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta and Junior Classic League. Tampa Rowing Club: Coached by Dr. Gray Baines…placed second in women’s open single, third in women’s open doubles at the Halifax Rowing Summer Regatta…raced women’s club singles at Head of the Charles…placed first in women’s single at Milo’s Roundup…multiple medalist at the Sunshine State Games: 2002, 2003.
Q&A
1. Interests and hobbies outside of Rowing: I love pickup games of soccer, volleyball, and football. I am also a member of the Intervarsity Christian Association and Athletes in Action.
2. List any academic honors you’ve won or class/club offices held : Female Athlete Scholar of the Year 2002, Florida Scholar-Bright Futures Scholarship Avard winner, Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee, National Honor Roll 2001, Outstanding Community Service Award 2002, National Beta Club, National Honor Society, President’s Award for Academic Excellence.
3. Why did you choose the University of Miami? As a Florida rower there is no place better. I couldn’t see myself rowing somewhere the coxsains wear cowboy hats! Also, the chance to live in a major US city responsible for so much economically is a rare experience and provides lots of options for internships. Lets not forget how great the Med school is.
4. What was your first impression of Miami? It was less humid than Tampa- where I’m from. Also, the beaches are very different and I thought the campus looked like a Country Club.
5. Who is your favorite athlete, Why? My favorite athlete is Baker Jordan. Baker is almost 70 years old and he’s been rowing at the same Alden Oar Master for 13 years. He shows up at the boathouse every morining at 9am with a story, a smile, and some advice. If I’m half as happy as he is at that age I’ll have a wonderful life.
6. Why did you start rowing? My Biology teacher, Pat Huey, rowed at Syracuse University. He dicided to start a team on the water front property at Tampa Catholic. Initially, I signed up for brownie points and because there were no try-outs. I started sculling 2 years later when my mom wanted to learn how but was afraid to go to the bathouse alone.
7. When did you start rowing? Fall 1999, Sweep. August 2001, Sculling.
8. What challenges did/do you face as a novice rower? In high school we had a schoenbrod 8. It weighed about 200lbs of wood and fiberglass construction. Carrying it to and from the dock everyday was a harrowing prospect.
9. What changes have you recently made to improve your rowing technique? I’ve worked a lot on driving with the legs first instead of opening early and leading with my back. Also, I’ve put a lot of mental energy into keeping my outside arm high and strong at the finish instead of letting it fall back and down into the boat.
10. What is your best rowing memory? I went to rowing camp on the Charles River the summer before my Senior year of High School. I met one of my closest friends, Phil Cortes. He lives in New England and we stay in touch over the internet.
11. Would you ever consider rowing as a “life sport”? Definitely! I plan on rowing until they make it illegal. I think it’s a great way to stay fit and avoid bone density problems at an older age. Even after I stop competing I plan to coach younder rowers.
12. Any superstitions before regattas? I have lucky underwear, a lucky hat, and I always wear my crucifix or my medal of St. Brenden-patron of watersports and water. I always pray the Our Father and stretch, stretch, stretch!
13. What advice would you give young people? Find a mantra to guide your choices and actions. Mine is “Do nothing today that will not benefit you tomorrow.”
14. What did you do this summer? I spent this summer rowing two times a day until I got hit by a car. I was riding my bike to the boathouse in downtown Tampa and and a taxi decided to turn right in front of me into a McDonalds. My front tire hit its front passenger tire and I supermanned over the hood of the car and landed on my shoulder. No serious damage. Wear A Helmet Kids!!
15. What are your goals at Miami both in sports and outside sports? Within the team, I hope to be a strong leader on and off the water. My goal this year is to make it into the JV 8 for Spring rowing season. Outside the team, I’m aiming to comlete a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in German and Religious Studies.
