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For this rower, life is but a dream
By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
Rowing a boat gently down a stream is for wimps; try rowing it as fast as possible for 2,000-meters with seven other people on board, and that’s not including a coach. As this craft of roughly 1,500 pounds moves through the water, keep in mind that the slightest head turn or poorly rotated oar can mean the difference between winning and losing. To the average person this might sound ludicrous, but for Nancy Graves, the rowing life is a dream come true.
Growing up a Washington native, Graves did not realize her passion for rowing until she moved to Delaware in her freshman year of high school to attend St. Andrews, and be closer to her sisters. The same as with all students who attend St. Andrews, Graves was required to participate in athletics year-round.
While Graves followed in her sisters’ footsteps to St. Andrews, she still wanted to create her own set of tracks. Like her sisters, Graves played field hockey in the fall and basketball in the winter, but when it came to spring, Graves chose a new path.
“Both my older sisters went to school there, and I have been visiting there since I was seven, so it was a familiar, comfortable spot,” Graves said. “But I didn’t want to play lacrosse because my older sisters played lacrosse. I wanted to do something different.”
As a freshman, Graves splashed onto the rowing scene with success and, to her surprise, realized she had potential.
“Before I went to Delaware I had no idea what rowing was,” Graves said. “I was shocked (at my success). It was something I knew I had potential in after my freshman year.”
While its common for athletes to coast on natural ability, Graves refused to remain an athlete with potential.
“It didn’t all happen my freshman year,” Graves said. “Through the four years (of high school) I worked really hard to achieve higher levels of success.”
Graves said what attracted her to rowing was the mental aspect of the sport.
“For me, rowing is a much more mental sport,” Graves said. “Basically, it’s all practice, practice, practice all for a six minute race. You have to do it yoursel; you’re not interacting with other people. It’s not a physical contact sport; you have to push yourself mentally.”
Graves’ individuality and hard work paid off, literally, as she was recently awarded a scholarship to the University of Virginia to participate on its rowing team as a freshman this fall. Graves said she was drawn to UVA because of its strong rowing program as well as its big time college atmosphere.
“It’s a really great college town,” Graves said. “They have a lot of school spirit. I’m excited to have that big tradition because the schools that I’ve have been to were really small.”
Graves’ high school may have been small, but it has afforded her some big opportunities. Thanks in part to her participation on the St. Andrews rowing team, Graves was named to the 2006 Junior National Team which competed in Junior World Rowing Championship in Amsterdam this summer.
While in Europe, the orchestrator of the ore made sweet music on the water, and guided her eight-women team to second place in the 2,000-meter event.
Though Amsterdam may be a great place for a vacation, Graves said her trip was strictly business.
“Besides rowing, we didn’t do a whole lot there,” Graves said. “We go there to race, we weren’t here to see the city. We did the touristy thing one day, but aside from that we were there for the racing. Our goal was to go win the gold medal.”
Still not convinced rowing is an intense sport? Still think all rowers spend their time floating merrily down a stream ? Listen to what Graves’ personal goal at Amsterdam was.
“My goal for the race was to blackout and throw up after the race,” Graves said. “I wanted to exert 100 percent effort, and I successful did that.”
Now that’s hardcore.
Graves may be intense on the water, but when the Ray Lewis of rowing speaks about her future she exhibits a softer side. Graves said she is torn between perusing two professions, both involve caring for other people.
“I want to major in education, or possible sports medicine,” Graves said. “They (UVA) has a good five-year education program, but I might become a physical trainer.”
While Graves’ professional career may be slowly approaching a fork in the water, her self-discipline and motivation ensures that she will paddle down the path to success.
Growing up a Washington native, Graves did not realize her passion for rowing until she moved to Delaware in her freshman year of high school to attend St. Andrews, and be closer to her sisters. The same as with all students who attend St. Andrews, Graves was required to participate in athletics year-round.
While Graves followed in her sisters’ footsteps to St. Andrews, she still wanted to create her own set of tracks. Like her sisters, Graves played field hockey in the fall and basketball in the winter, but when it came to spring, Graves chose a new path.
“Both my older sisters went to school there, and I have been visiting there since I was seven, so it was a familiar, comfortable spot,” Graves said. “But I didn’t want to play lacrosse because my older sisters played lacrosse. I wanted to do something different.”
As a freshman, Graves splashed onto the rowing scene with success and, to her surprise, realized she had potential.
“Before I went to Delaware I had no idea what rowing was,” Graves said. “I was shocked (at my success). It was something I knew I had potential in after my freshman year.”
While its common for athletes to coast on natural ability, Graves refused to remain an athlete with potential.
“It didn’t all happen my freshman year,” Graves said. “Through the four years (of high school) I worked really hard to achieve higher levels of success.”
Graves said what attracted her to rowing was the mental aspect of the sport.
“For me, rowing is a much more mental sport,” Graves said. “Basically, it’s all practice, practice, practice all for a six minute race. You have to do it yoursel; you’re not interacting with other people. It’s not a physical contact sport; you have to push yourself mentally.”
Graves’ individuality and hard work paid off, literally, as she was recently awarded a scholarship to the University of Virginia to participate on its rowing team as a freshman this fall. Graves said she was drawn to UVA because of its strong rowing program as well as its big time college atmosphere.
“It’s a really great college town,” Graves said. “They have a lot of school spirit. I’m excited to have that big tradition because the schools that I’ve have been to were really small.”
Graves’ high school may have been small, but it has afforded her some big opportunities. Thanks in part to her participation on the St. Andrews rowing team, Graves was named to the 2006 Junior National Team which competed in Junior World Rowing Championship in Amsterdam this summer.
While in Europe, the orchestrator of the ore made sweet music on the water, and guided her eight-women team to second place in the 2,000-meter event.
Though Amsterdam may be a great place for a vacation, Graves said her trip was strictly business.
“Besides rowing, we didn’t do a whole lot there,” Graves said. “We go there to race, we weren’t here to see the city. We did the touristy thing one day, but aside from that we were there for the racing. Our goal was to go win the gold medal.”
Still not convinced rowing is an intense sport? Still think all rowers spend their time floating merrily down a stream ? Listen to what Graves’ personal goal at Amsterdam was.
“My goal for the race was to blackout and throw up after the race,” Graves said. “I wanted to exert 100 percent effort, and I successful did that.”
Now that’s hardcore.
Graves may be intense on the water, but when the Ray Lewis of rowing speaks about her future she exhibits a softer side. Graves said she is torn between perusing two professions, both involve caring for other people.
“I want to major in education, or possible sports medicine,” Graves said. “They (UVA) has a good five-year education program, but I might become a physical trainer.”
While Graves’ professional career may be slowly approaching a fork in the water, her self-discipline and motivation ensures that she will paddle down the path to success.
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