Spotlight Athlete

Gina Galaszewski

Senior at Cedarburg High School

When/Why I Began Rowing:

I was a competitive Irish dancer for quite a few years but had to stop because of injuries and so I was trying to find a new sport that would keep me active.  My uncle coxed at Madison and had mentioned that I should try rowing- up until he said something I honestly don't even think I knew rowing was available to me.  I finally decided to take Learn to Row in the summer leading up to the fall season and decided that I would stick with it for at least one season to see how I liked it.. I love it!

Future plans:

Formally accepted my admissions to the University of Iowa, although they don't have a lightweight rowing team, I would love to be involved on the team!

Favorite workout: 

Doing workouts on the water definitely beats being down in Fight Club erging everyday.  I love the standup drill and especially the add a pair drill- it's fun to see how hard each person in your boat is working and I love the competitive aspect.  As far as a specific workout? I don't really have one, I love most any kind of sprinting pieces because that's when the boat really starts to move and you know all the hard work from winter is paying off.

Favorite aspect of rowing: 

My favorite aspect of rowing is definitely my team.  I have always been a very team oriented person and so being surrounded by such a strong and motivated team of girls each day makes coming to practice something to look forward to. 

Favorite rowing season:

This past weekend I competed in my first spring race and I absolutely loved it.  Although a 2k takes every ounce of energy out of you and then some, it helps to have 7 other girls working just as hard to try and achieve the same goal as you, winning.  I'm really excited to be going to Midwest this season.  Even though I'm a novice, I'm really excited to have experience being in an even more competitive environment compared to a more "typical" race (and also to watch my teammates kick some booty of course).

Favorite race: 

By far my favorite race so far has been the Milwaukee River Challenge.  Being that I'm a novice, I was extremely intimidated by the fact that we would be racing against all varsity boats, however this was our home course and it definitely worked to our advantage.  I think the best feeling during that race was when we got to the junction and were able to pass a few of the boats who were in the lead previous to the turn.  I could tell the atmosphere in the boat had completely switched gears and our goal was to now hold them off until we got to the finish line, we were really proud of how we had placed against the varsity boats (especially since we rowed with 6 people for the last portion of the race because someone's foot-stretchers snapped).  

Interests/hobbies outside of practice: 

Outside of practice I enjoy traveling, hanging out with my friends, and shopping.

Spotlight Athlete

Sam Diamond

Junior at Whitefish Bay High School

When/Why began coxing: 

Did Learn-to-row the summer before freshman year with my brother.  I loved it, he hated it.  Started coxing right away.

Future plans: 

I would like to have an opportunity to be a coxswain in college.

Favorite aspect of coxing: 

I am a very quiet guy.  Being a coxswain has given me an opportunity to show a different side of myself.  I have enjoyed learning leadership skills.

Favorite rowing season & why: 

I like the spring season.  Sprints are much more competitive races and are much more fun to cox.

Favorite race & why: 

The Twin Cities race is my favorite.  I like the beach dock and the water is always warm.  Cincinnati is also a favorite because teams from all over the midwest participate and give us another level of competition

Interests/hobbies outside of practice:

Listening to music, playing guitar and hanging out with my family.

Favorite quote: 

"Be the type of person you want to meet"

Athlete Spotlight

Allison Brunner

Senior at Whitefish Bay High School

When/Why began:

I began rowing the summer before sophomore year. A friend wanted to join, so I thought I would too. It sounded fun and something new to do.

Future Plans:

I plan on furthering my rowing career at Indiana University next year! Really excited to represent MRC at the collegiate level with Alli Spencer!

Favorite Race & why:

Midwest Champs because this race is where all of your hard work and progress as an athlete as well as a team get put to the test in the race to get to nationals. Also because the teams we race are the teams that we compete mentally and physically against in fight club during the winter. 

Favorite Season:

My favorite season is without a doubt, spring. The races in the spring are so short, but have the ability to push you to your physical limit. Its awesome to see everyone training hard and getting faster everyday.

Athlete Spotlight

BIRGITA STILLMAN

Junior at Whitefish Bay High School

When/Why began rowing:

I began rowing my freshman year of high school because I had heard of it through a friend and was currently in cross country but wanted to try something new. After learn to row I knew it was something I wanted to stick with.

Favorite workout:

I love when we get to do any racing type pieces on the water especially against another boat but my favorite work out on the water or the erg would have to be the pyramid of  500m to 1000m to 1500 to 2000m and back down.

Preferred side when rowing:

I have gotten to row both sides and find that I love to row either port or starboard.

Favorite aspect of rowing:

My favorite aspect of rowing would have to be the intensity and excitement of racing. When your boat is so close to another and you start to walk on them its one of the best feelings. You finally see all the hard work you’ve put in pay off.

Favorite rowing season & why:

My two favorite rowing seasons are spring and winter. I love the high intensity of sprints in the spring and although winter can drag on and be difficult its great to see yourself get stronger and stronger.

What motivates you to work hard?

Whenever I think about where I started in rowing and how far I have come it helps me to push myself even further.

Interests/hobbies outside of practice:

I love to do anything outdoors, such as rock climbing, hiking, surfing and stand up paddle boarding.

Favorite quote:

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched- they must be felt with the heart.” - Helen Keller

Athlete Spotlight

KATIE ROBRECHT

Senior at Shorewood High School 

When/why I began coxing:

I did learn to row the summer before my sophomore year and I rowed for part of the summer and then decided to try coxing at the start of fall season in 2012 

Favorite workout to cox:

I love the 2k pyramid on the water because it's one of the most structured workouts for me since I have a course plan and it's usually a one on one race with another boat which is always exciting. 

Favorite aspect of coxing:

I like feeling accountable and being in the coxswain seat is all about accountability since a coxswain keeps the boat safe and helps them, along with the coaches, with technique and motivation. 

Favorite season:

I like summer season because it's warm and I love morning practice because it makes me start my day early doing something I love and it makes the rest of the day great.

Favorite race:

Head of the Charles is definitely my favorite race. The atmosphere is so exciting and all the hype about the course makes it that much cooler when you know you nailed a part of the course you didn't get before. I also like that the success of the course is more heavily dependent on the coxswain's skill than in most other races. 

Role model:

I have two role models. The first is Katie Felsheim, the former girls varsity coxswain, because she taught me so much about coxing and I would always watch what she did and try to do it so I could improve. The second is Mary Whipple because she has gone to the highest place a coxswain can and succeeded and now passes on her knowledge to young coxswains and I strive to be even a little bit like her.