Women's Rowing Journal - Sophie Bird
10/20/2005 8:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Oct. 20, 2005
When I came back to Bucknell this year, I must admit I was a bit nervous to be coming back as a varsity rower with a recruited group of girls who would be joining us. My freshman year as a novice was awesome. I made the best friends that I have here on campus, and really felt like I was a part of something. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to handle the varsity practices. When we started to get back into the swing of things, I realized that the work I had done over the summer paid off. I was able to do all of the running and other workouts better than I had been able to do at the end of last season. I think that the fact that my friends and I have all progressed to varsity status has only bought us closer together, and we've all gotten close with the recruits. I think they add a great dynamic to the team.
I also really like the fact that we have the opportunity to learn how to scull this fall. Although I am not quite confident enough in my ability to race in a single or a quad yet, I love getting to practice in them in the mornings and afternoons. I feel like the sculling experience has only helped to strengthen me as an overall athlete and rower. I'm really excited to see how we do at the Head of the Schuylkill and at the Head of the Occoquan later this fall. It's been great seeing the team develop over the past weeks, and I can't wait to see how much we'll improve come next spring.
-Sophie Bird `08