I started rowing in 2008 with Washington State University. I credit the experience for my work ethic, lifestyle, and many of the habits that have kept me healthy and happy over the years since.
At WSU I sat bow in the first JV eight to beat Gonzaga since the 1980s. We went on in that boat to take bronze at the West Coast Intercollegiate Championships and go to grand finals in the ACRA National Championships. In my senior year I sat three seat in the varsity heavyweight four, which was the only boat to make it to the ACRA grand finals that year, coming out of repechage against the biggest lineup in the regatta's history and keeping the WSU tradition of going to grand finals every year. That boat set the course record for the year during a .1 second victory against the Ohio State Buckeyes in a critical win during the semi-finals
During my junior year at WSU I went blind, lost ten pounds in a week, and was subsequently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Medical intervention helped me get my sight back and continue to row for my full college career. That year and my senior year I won the Iron Oarsman award, given by the coaches to the rower who has demonstrated the most mental fortitude during the year. To date I am the only WSU rower to win the Iron Oarsman award twice.
In Seattle I rowed with the Pocock Rowing Center's Masters Sculling Team until I chose other athletic endeavors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Pocock was an excellent experience and reinvigorated my love of the sport without the grueling demands of collegiate rowing. In 2013 I sat bow in an alumni four from WSU which took first place in our category for the Head of the Lake regatta.
I continue to pay rowing its due on my Concept2 ergometer, but am taking a break from competitive rowing for now.