Midland Dow High School 2020 Graduate
“I decided to try rowing after Coach Amber came to my high school (Dow High) and gave a talk about starting up a high school rowing team in the area. I thought rowing seemed like a really cool sport. The combination of strength, endurance and rhythm was something that interested me. Little did I know I would fall in love with the sport! I love rowing in Bay City. I’ve met some of my best friends from rowing at BCRC. It was such a positive experience for me. I am so thankful to have all of the memories from starting out as a novice to signing with the University of Texas to row. I am also so thankful to have had Amber as a coach. She always believed in me and helped me discover my potential.
I decided I wanted to row in college after just one season of rowing at Bay City. I did a 2k erg test and it went pretty well, so I decided to pursue the recruiting process. It was such an exciting experience! Not only do college coaches look for athletes with strong rowing backgrounds, but they also look at athletes new to the sport that have strong athletic backgrounds in other sports. In my case, this was swimming, cross country and track. I knew I wanted to do a sport in college and I chose to pursue rowing because of the team aspect, its competitive nature and my amazing experience rowing at BCRC.
I am currently a freshman rowing at the University of Texas and I am loving it! This is a really exciting year for us as we have a really strong team and have our eyes set on becoming NCAA champions. I’ve learned so much already and have adjusted really well to the new level of training. My teammates are incredible and have really pushed me to become the best rower and person I can be.”
Auburn – Bay City Western High School 2020 Graduate
“What made me try rowing was Carol (BCRC board member) came to my high school and had a table out during our lunch period. I was already involved in my school cheerleading and dance team at the time, however, I am always willing to try something new. I thought why not go to the open house and see what rowing is about? At the BCRC open house Coach Amber gave a quick informative PowerPoint presentation about rowing and I knew I wanted to continue. We then tried using the ergs and I instantly fell in love with the sport!
What I like about rowing and rowing in Bay City is that the sport is very rewarding. The amount of work you put in shows on how well you pull erg splits and how well you move the boat. I also love how much of a team sport rowing is. You all have to work hard together and have the same mindset to have a successful boat and race. Rowing is also a stress reliever for myself. Being able to row on the water with your teammates and focusing on proper technique always makes me forget about what is going on outside of practice. Rowing in Bay City was always interesting. You never knew if you would see a huge freighter boat or get hooked by a fishing hook from the fisherman along the rocks. My favorite experience was rowing alongside the Tall Ships and the U.S.S Edson.
I decided to row at the college level because I fell in love with the sport and wanted to continue my rowing career. During the recruiting process I had the amazing opportunity to row at Division I schools but ultimately picked rowing for Adrian College at the Division 3 level. After talking to the head coaches about how they run their program, seeing the incredible brand new boathouse and meeting the team, I knew I wanted to be part of the Adrian Crew!
My first year of rowing has been a huge learning experience. With Covid-19 affecting everyone, we started the year by rowing with only our roommate in a double. We each received new Bat Logic shoes that fit us and we can use in any boat. To row for Adrian College meant I had to learn a new rowing style. Even though I was out of my comfort zone, I was able to pick up on it. The amount of meters we row for an average rowing piece is around 15-17K, which is a lot more compared to high school rowing. We are now rowing in fours with masks and are in the midst of winter training. We lift three days a week and practice every day but Sunday. For our spring break we are heading to Orlando to row at Rollins University for some on the water practice.”
Midland High School 2021 Graduating Class
“I decided to try rowing because the idea of trying a new sport really excited me, especially because rowing is a water sport. I had been dealing with some frustrating running injuries during my track season and Anna Jensen suggested that I give rowing a try. Those injuries were almost like a blessing in disguise because they led me to try rowing and I quickly fell in love with the sport. I have been a swimmer for over nine years and I love any sport that includes water in any way, which is one of the reasons why I enjoy rowing so much. In addition, I love that it is a very team oriented sport. You and your teammates must work together and be synchronized in order to move the boat and have a successful practice or race. The Bay City Rowing Club does a wonderful job of not only teaching teens how to row, but also facilitating a positive and team-oriented atmosphere. Being a part of the Bay City Rowing Club has led me to meet some of my best friends, given me amazing experiences, and has opened many doors for my future.
This past November 2020, I signed my National Letter of Intent to row at the University of Notre Dame starting in the Fall of 2021. Not only do I get to attend my dream school, but I get to do the sport that I love, as well. It was a dream come true and I cannot wait to get to campus and get to work! I decided to row in college because I simply love the sport and because I want to be a part of a team full of girls who are driven and strong just like me. In addition, staying active through athletics and having my team as a support system will only help as I tackle a rigorous academic schedule at Notre Dame. The journey to becoming a collegiate rower is daunting and takes endless amounts of hard work, but I know that every minute will be worth it because I am right where I belong.”
350 West Lafayette Avenue
Bay City, MI 48706
(Across from the Boys & Girls Club
of the Great Lakes Bay Region)
Bay City Rowing Club
P.O. Box 615
Bay City, MI
48707-0615
