There is a saying in rowing, “push through the wall”, which is one that I still carry with me today. It all started during the pandemic when my mom found a way for my twin brother and I to row a double together. We would go out onto the Long Island Sound for only an hour at a time due to our practices always ending in fights. However, even through all our arguments, I fell in love with the sport. I joined the Pelham club team with a new coaching staff and team due to everyone moving after the pandemic. Somehow, with not having much experience and not knowing each other, we were able to win states and get top 5 at the national regatta in Florida by the end of my sophomore year in high school.

Our new coaches made it clear in the beginning of sophomore year that our goal should be gold which came as a surprise to most of the girls and I being completely new to rowing. Though, our coaches made us come everyday, 7 days a week, to the boathouse to workout for four hours. The fall and winter were filled with extreme workouts where we would go out in boats of fours and go head to head over and over. No matter if someone was tired or even about to pass out, we had to keep going to get stronger if we ever wanted to reach our goal.

When spring came we were a completely different team. Even with just 10 girls we were making times of people who were rowing for 5 years and we just started that fall. But, my boat was a machine. Not only were we oddly fast for our age, but I knew that no matter what happened, the girls around me had my back through it all. Even through the workouts when we all felt like collapsing, we would stay strong because of the determination and discipline that the rowing atmosphere taught us. It was all proven when we crossed the finish line 1st at NY states and 5th at the national championship in Florida. I became aware of not only what a true supporting team is like, but what a loving family is and what you are capable of doing for each other. I have grown to understand how to break my limits whether it's when I'm rowing or at school and I hold rowing so close to my heart due to its huge impact on me as a person.