Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Rowing Journal - Katlynn Pentecoste
1/21/2009 7:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Jan. 21, 2009
Last summer, I never pictured myself enjoying the art of sculling. As a sweep rower from the first day of ninth grade to the present, I could never imagine balancing myself, or yet even applying full pressure in a single. As most rowers know, just rowing a single & actually connecting in one are two very different things. Coming into Bucknell, I was going to have to figure it out.
Day No. 2 in Georgia was my first time back in a single since November, and I wasn't sure why coach would select me to be in one. I lined up against five amazing rowers, both varsity & recruits, ready for an intense workout of 2 x 2000M.
I sat there, ready to start second of six. I heard Coach Dan call my name to start and I began to paddle up. As I approached the starting line, my heart pounded in my chest. I brought my rating up, along with the pressure I applied to my blades. Shortly after, I realized I was full pressure, pressing further & further away from the starting line and accelerating the boat forward. I was careful in the fact that I was perfectly balanced, making sure my oars were not dragging across the water potentially slowing me down.
Halfway through the race, I realized not only was I physically connected to my boat, but I was mentally connected as well, using all the things I learned in the fall now. After I got off the water, besides feeling the lactic acid begin to build up, I felt as if I achieved a whole lot; that all the frustration I put myself through in the fall trying to perfect my sculling stroke finally paid off.
- Katlynn Pentecoste '12
