Indiana University Athletics
Meet The Hoosiers
Why did you decide to row?
“I always loved participating in individual sports but I wanted to be involved with a bigger picture. I nearly didn’t apply for the team because I wasn’t sure I’d be any good at being a coxswain since I knew literally nothing about the sport.” - Elise Baker
“I decided to row at first because I wanted to be a part of a team in high school. I never thought about all the doors it would open for me or the amazing memories it would lead to!” - Jayna Dolfi
“For most of my life, I have been a swimmer. When I got the opportunity to do a learn to row, I was a little hesitant. However, upon getting into a boat with 8 other people, my teammates, I have not looked back. I think the team aspect of rowing is what makes it so special, and why, ultimately, I decided to row.” - Lily Haupt
“I love the water and I love the sport of rowing. I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself while doing the sport I love.” - Libby Krueger
“I decided to row because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life wondering "what if." I knew this was a great opportunity and one I'd regret if I turned it down. I also wanted the chance to be a part of something bigger than myself and the feeling of taking on a new challenge.” - Ara Cowper
What was the best part about your first year on the team?
“The best part of my freshman year of rowing was NCAAs. Never have I been to a competition so big and it was very cool to be surrounded by amazing teammates. We also had a lot of fun in Indianapolis going on team runs, spending time in the hotel together, and most importantly being able to race against some fierce competition.” - Laura Feinson
“Having a great group of people during a crazy year of COVID.” - Audrey Sexton
“Meeting the rest of the freshman rowers and living with them in the dorms.” - Avery Thorpe
“Morning practices on the water. It’s such a great way to start the day out on the beautiful water with my teammates rowing a boat.” - Kaylynn Scher
“Getting to watch my friends win at B1G Champs in Indy. I raced in the 1V4 and we got in 4th place, which was great. But the amount of joy I felt when the 1N8 won third place was incomparable.” - Elise Baker
How has rowing impacted your life?
“Rowing is at the center of my college experience. It has provided me with an incredible support system through my teammates and coaches, as well as countless resources through the excellence academy, athletic training, and nutrition services. Picking up a D1 sport in college for the first time was certainly not my original plan, but it has proven to have a tremendous benefit to me personally, athletically, and academically.” - Erin Heapy
“It has allowed me to push myself harder than I ever thought possible to be the best version of myself while simultaneously providing me with lifelong friends.” - Kaylynn Scher
“It has taught me how to be stronger, more confident, and how to solve problems and overcome them. It also impacted me by giving me my best friends.” - Gwennie Foley
“I’ve made the most amazing friends, and had some of the most life changing experiences since I started rowing. I’ve become more motivated, more independent, and so strong- mentally and physically.” - Drew Harris
“It’s created a sense of community for me on campus and really forced me to manage my time well with school and practices.” - Paige Ohrvall
What do you enjoy most about being on the team?
“Getting to know people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.” - Megan Mills
“I love how we can all work together to achieve a common goal.” - Sophie McCartin
“I really enjoy the work ethic of our team. It inspires me so much to be alongside such hardworking women every day and I’m so proud to be one of them.” - Sophie Carmosino
“The people, the competitiveness, structure, and community.” - Lenora LoFrisco
How has rowing prepared you for life after college?
“I have learned countless new skills- improved leadership and communication and learned how to work with others and be a part of something bigger than myself.” - Catherine Ryan
“Discipline, hard work, time management, communication and how to properly plan goals and keep them realistic and manageable.” - Piper Maaka
“You are able to do things more capable than you realize. Training in any type of weather has made me adaptable to any condition.” - Ella Cunningham
“Rowing has definitely pushed me physically, but it has pushed me more mentally. I have and will continue to become a stronger, better version of myself.” - Emma Dillon
“It has taught me how to be stronger mentally, physically, and has given me motivation to be my best self.” - Lili Toledano
“I always loved participating in individual sports but I wanted to be involved with a bigger picture. I nearly didn’t apply for the team because I wasn’t sure I’d be any good at being a coxswain since I knew literally nothing about the sport.” - Elise Baker
“I decided to row at first because I wanted to be a part of a team in high school. I never thought about all the doors it would open for me or the amazing memories it would lead to!” - Jayna Dolfi
“For most of my life, I have been a swimmer. When I got the opportunity to do a learn to row, I was a little hesitant. However, upon getting into a boat with 8 other people, my teammates, I have not looked back. I think the team aspect of rowing is what makes it so special, and why, ultimately, I decided to row.” - Lily Haupt
“I love the water and I love the sport of rowing. I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself while doing the sport I love.” - Libby Krueger
“I decided to row because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life wondering "what if." I knew this was a great opportunity and one I'd regret if I turned it down. I also wanted the chance to be a part of something bigger than myself and the feeling of taking on a new challenge.” - Ara Cowper
What was the best part about your first year on the team?
“The best part of my freshman year of rowing was NCAAs. Never have I been to a competition so big and it was very cool to be surrounded by amazing teammates. We also had a lot of fun in Indianapolis going on team runs, spending time in the hotel together, and most importantly being able to race against some fierce competition.” - Laura Feinson
“Having a great group of people during a crazy year of COVID.” - Audrey Sexton
“Meeting the rest of the freshman rowers and living with them in the dorms.” - Avery Thorpe
“Morning practices on the water. It’s such a great way to start the day out on the beautiful water with my teammates rowing a boat.” - Kaylynn Scher
“Getting to watch my friends win at B1G Champs in Indy. I raced in the 1V4 and we got in 4th place, which was great. But the amount of joy I felt when the 1N8 won third place was incomparable.” - Elise Baker
How has rowing impacted your life?
“Rowing is at the center of my college experience. It has provided me with an incredible support system through my teammates and coaches, as well as countless resources through the excellence academy, athletic training, and nutrition services. Picking up a D1 sport in college for the first time was certainly not my original plan, but it has proven to have a tremendous benefit to me personally, athletically, and academically.” - Erin Heapy
“It has allowed me to push myself harder than I ever thought possible to be the best version of myself while simultaneously providing me with lifelong friends.” - Kaylynn Scher
“It has taught me how to be stronger, more confident, and how to solve problems and overcome them. It also impacted me by giving me my best friends.” - Gwennie Foley
“I’ve made the most amazing friends, and had some of the most life changing experiences since I started rowing. I’ve become more motivated, more independent, and so strong- mentally and physically.” - Drew Harris
“It’s created a sense of community for me on campus and really forced me to manage my time well with school and practices.” - Paige Ohrvall
What do you enjoy most about being on the team?
“Getting to know people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.” - Megan Mills
“I love how we can all work together to achieve a common goal.” - Sophie McCartin
“I really enjoy the work ethic of our team. It inspires me so much to be alongside such hardworking women every day and I’m so proud to be one of them.” - Sophie Carmosino
“The people, the competitiveness, structure, and community.” - Lenora LoFrisco
How has rowing prepared you for life after college?
“I have learned countless new skills- improved leadership and communication and learned how to work with others and be a part of something bigger than myself.” - Catherine Ryan
“Discipline, hard work, time management, communication and how to properly plan goals and keep them realistic and manageable.” - Piper Maaka
“You are able to do things more capable than you realize. Training in any type of weather has made me adaptable to any condition.” - Ella Cunningham
“Rowing has definitely pushed me physically, but it has pushed me more mentally. I have and will continue to become a stronger, better version of myself.” - Emma Dillon
“It has taught me how to be stronger mentally, physically, and has given me motivation to be my best self.” - Lili Toledano