Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Rowing Journal - Hilary Dabney
5/6/2009 8:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
May 6, 2009
“This is it. This is history. You have the chance to be part of history.”
Thoughts ran through my head at a million miles a minute. My heart couldn't stop fluttering. And although I knew I shouldn't, I tilted my head just enough so I could get a glance over at Navy's bow seat. Man, she was big. Probably twice my size. Yet I knew that wouldn't even be near enough to deter us from winning this race.
We had earned this. Every day in that single, every morning on that erg, every piece on that river. This was what we had been working for. Bucknell's novice eight had never beat Navy's novice eight during the Patriot League championships, yet our boat was more than determined to change that. We have had an amazingly successful season, pushing ourselves to get over that finish line before some truly impressive crews.
The feeling of sitting at the start, knowing I have the whole race ahead of me to prove myself, to push myself, and to truly excel, fills me with inspiration. Just like before the Ohio State race, where we won by only .16 seconds, and every other race this season, I was ready to leave it all on the water.
Beating Navy was an extremely rewarding experience, but there was no way we would have ever gotten to that point without the drive of our teammates pushing us down that race course. While winning is truly an amazing feeling, being a part of this team is something even greater.
With my freshman year rowing experience coming to a close, I can honestly say that I've been taught more than just rowing technique. With every obstacle, whether it's that of physical limits or mental barriers, every member of Bucknell women's rowing team has been there to support, motivate, and inspire. I have learned that every stroke I take is truly a part of something so much bigger than myself, it's truly a part of history.
- Hilary Dabney '12
