Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Rowing Journal - Molly Schneider
10/12/2009 8:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Oct. 12, 2009
Coming back to the Bucknell women's rowing team this year has been better than I could have imagined mainly due to the amazing group of women that I practice with daily.
Last year, as I began in the weight room I was astonished. I was surrounded by upperclassmen whose encouragement and support for each other was overwhelming. And that practice was just a small preview of a Saturday team lift. I couldn't fathom a team lift with 50+ girls all working, cheering and inspiring each other to realize more. The energy level those days is palpable. At the time I misinterpreted their energy and enthusiasm; fortunately that misinterpretation ended quickly. I came to know the girls and I stopped mistaking their true intentions and understood what they were striving for. They were helping me reach my goals and push towards something greater: lifting more weight, press harder in the boat, and pushing each other to realize what we are capable of accomplishing. The environment cultivated last year led me to achieve things I never thought possible and a lot of it is due to the truly inspiring support and encouragement that we give to each other. This year, when I hear my teammates cheering for Bucknell, I always find it in myself to give more. I don't question it; I just do it. And once I finish a set, I make sure I'm giving back to the team immediately. I want to see them succeed as they challenge themselves. This year, Saturday lifts are amazing and I look forward to them. I have the support and energy of the team behind me as I press myself to go further than I thought possible. It's not about what is said that drives me, it's the meaning and true desire that lay behind the words that you can hear from across the weight room or from the girl spotting you that give me an extra edge that sometimes I didn't know I had.
Over the past year I've gotten to know some incredible women that have helped me more than I thought possible. They make me feel capable of more than I could ever achieve alone. Having the opportunity to be among such women is amazing and I hope the freshmen are feeling as inspired as I am by the energy and support that each girl has for her team.
- Molly Schneider '12
