Senior Spotlight

10/28/2013 4:09:00 PM

As the Central Oklahoma rowing team's fall season draws to a close this weekend with the Wichita Frostbite Regatta, the team looks to the leadership and experience of their only current four-year members.

Both Kirsten Clark and Brittany Rawlins joined the UCO squad during their freshman year and have stood the test of time, having gained invaluable racing experience that will prove important during the coming spring season.

"It's awesome having athletes like Kirsten and Brittany on this team," said head coach Andrew Derrick. "They are great examples of what it takes to build a program. You can teach student-athletes the basics relatively quickly, but it takes years of hard work, which Brittany and Kirsten have put forth, to attempt to perfect it."

Clark and Rawlins shared some of their experiences and observations in advance of their final fall race.

What first attracted you to rowing at Central Oklahoma?

BR: "I was introduced to Central Oklahoma rowing through a university-wide email for tryouts. I had previously played basketball at my high school and I was missing the team environment and being active, so I decided to try something new, not knowing anything about the sport."
KC: "I think what attracted me to rowing was the scholarship opportunity since I was an out-of-state student, and the fact that experience was not necessary to start. Also, I felt that it would be a great opportunity to be involved with UCO and be introduced to a completely different sport."

Do you have any particular memories of the initial learning process?
KC: "I actually vaguely remember my first couple of weeks of my novice year. I was definitely further behind than anyone else because I was out for a week due to illness and when I got back, I was placed in a boat not knowing anything. I also did not go to Florida for spring break for the week long "training camp" so I had no idea what to expect in a race. I do remember it being all about technique (as it always is) and understanding the basics of rowing. It was also pretty difficult to understand the concept of pacing to where you did not go out too fast to where you died within a minute in a workout."
BR: "It took me awhile to grasp the concept of rowing and I am still learning today. The learning process of rowing never stops when you think you have exceeded all expectation there is always something you can improve."

How has the team changed over the past four years?

KC: :The level of intensity and commitment to the program has definitely been the main thing that changed over the four years I have been here. Everyone on the team has that drive to get better/faster, we know what our program is capable of doing and we always work hard to improve each year."
BR: "Over the last four years the team as grown not only in size but grown technically better. I believe we have changed into a more competitive team as a whole with even greater change to come."

Any good qualities or values that the team/program has taught you since joining?
How has UCO rowing changed you since becoming a member of the team?
BR: "Since joining the team it has thought me to never give up. It seems so cliché, but when rowing I believe if you can row there is nothing that you can't do. Rowing has taught me not only to be physically stronger but mentally as well. Rowing has a big mental component that comes with it, and has also taught me the value of team work and how dependable you have to be. When you're rowing, your teammates trust that you are giving it your all and you expect the same from them. I believe that rowing has taught me great values that I don't just carry as a UCO athlete, but values that I can carry with me throughout my entire life."
KC: "I think that the team and program as a whole taught me a very valuable lesson in teamwork and being a team player. I feel that along the way in high school, I lost that quality especially in softball. I only thought about myself and did not consider everyone else. Once I joined rowing, I realized the importance. Everyone is responsible for making the boat move and if you have one person trying to do their own thing, it disrupts the fluidity and there is disconnect which leads to fighting to make the boat move through the water."

Being a part of the team for four years in quite an accomplishment.
What or who has helped you along the way?
KC: "First off, I think what kept me coming back was the constant love and support from the team. I think it is awesome that each and every one of us care about each other and would go out of the way to help, whether it was to fix a technical problem or just simple words of encouragement and motivation to finish a tough workout. We know that all of us need to get better and faster, so when everyone is on board to achieve those goals, it makes everything worth it in the end, especially when you cross the finish line first. One particular former teammate that has been an inspiration for me, especially for this season, is Michaela Stam. This is because she struggled her first year mentally, but never gave up and constantly pushed herself daily and in the end became a valuable member of the team. I have also had a lot of outside support from my sister and boss in Houston because they have seen what I am capable of doing when I am faced with a challenge and they know I would feel amazing knowing that I gave it my all with every task I am handed."

BR: "Being on the rowing team for four years has not been an easy journey. Being a student and an athlete can definitely take a stressful toll on your life. Even though the good days outweigh the bad there were many ups and downs. What kept me going was being surrounded by great teammates that I now consider to be my family along with a great supportive system from my parents. When things get hard I always had someone to turn to helping me though it all."

Any particular goals for the upcoming spring season?
BR: "For the upcoming spring season my goals are to exceed any expectations I may currently have, set personal records on every test, and last but defiantly not least, WIN NATIONALS. It's my last year and I don't want to leave empty-handed."
KC: "My personal goal for the spring is to break my mental barrier and have nothing left at the end of any test we do. I also want to be a major contributor in getting our entire team, not just one boat, to the NCAA Championships. I want to prove to myself that I am capable of going over and beyond my potential so that when I take the last strokes of my final race, I know that I gave it my all and had nothing left to give."

What are your favorite UCO rowing memories?
KC: "The top memory I have is earning first in the Novice 8+ in Wichita, that was a big accomplishment. Also, I've enjoyed all the trips I have gone on with the team. I would have never thought of ever going to Philadelphia or Tennessee with teammates that ended up being my really good friends, but it was possible with the opportunity of rowing at Central Oklahoma."
BR: "I have a number of rowing memories. One of my favorite memories was during my freshmen year. The Novice 4+ I was in placed for the first time at the SIRA regatta in Tennessee. Another unforgettable memory was last year when the Varsity 4+ beat Barry and Nova Southeastern every time we encountered them, placing us as the fastest 4+ in our region. Lastly, I'm also proud of making it to the NCAA Championships in the Varsity 8+."

Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories