Leah King '16 Recruiting Profile

I’ve been thinking about my future as a collegiate rower. I was recently asked a question of whether I wanted to be good lightweight rower or a successful college rower. 

 I have been fortunate to be a part of the Lightweight A. I got to go to nationals with them twice and was able to form a bond with them which I am truly grateful for. However, being in lightweight holds me back from my true potential as a rower. Being on the heavier side of the scale, I had to lose 7 pounds of muscle, constantly eat less, and burn all my energy up just to be able to make a weigh in.With a 2K time of 7:46, I know I go faster. I want to go fast and be the fastest I can be whether that is a 7:32 or 6:55. I don’t know what my fastest is, but I want to find it. I loved being in the Top LIghtweight A boat at CRF, but it is time for me to move on to Open Weight for my final year at CRF. 

I went to my team’s boathouse to go talk to my head coach, Mike Wallin, about next year. He told me that him and my lightweight coach were talking about changing me to open weight, switching me over the port side, and fight for a seat in the Top V8 boat or possibly create a pair. He sees potential in me and I am excited to work for that potential. 

Before, I had a goal for next year about winning Nationals as a lightweight rower, but now I have a priority of being the best rower I can for the future. Whether I make it the Top V8 or a pair or the 2nd V8 at CRF, I know that I was able to be step closer to my full potential. I’m going to strive for my goals and work hard over this summer and next year to be the fastest I can be. 

Because of rowing, it has made me a better person both physically and metally.  It has taught me that I am my worst enemy and only I can stop myself from reaching my goals. But, rowing has shown me that I can reach for ANY goal that I set for myself. With hard work and determination, I can do anything.