Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Rowing Journal - Amanda Chikowski
11/7/2011 7:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Nov. 7, 2011
I wasn't expecting to get to race this fall, but I was so excited to find out that we would be going to the Head of the Schuylkill. I had never done fall racing in high school and was beyond thrilled to row for Bucknell in my first fall race. We got right to work and began to learn how to row together. As time passed, the whole freshman group started to become one cohesive unit. Each day at practice the workout became increasingly intense with more competition involved until it was finally time to race.
We joined the upperclassmen on the bus ride to Philly. While we were anxious to get there, everyone was grateful for the extra hours of sleep that the bus ride gave us. When we arrived and looked out the windows, the cold rain was coming down as the forecast predicted. While we were warned about the predictions for the weather, it was hard to comprehend something that would put a damper on the exciting day of racing we had ahead. Despite this, we began to unload the trailer and rig our boats. With a lot of help from the upperclassmen, the coxswains, and the coaches, everything was ready and we were able to warm up a little before it was time to launch.
It was time. We got a quick pre-race talk and began to walk down to the launching docks. Our nerves were building, but our excitement was building even faster. We had done the work and were ready to go. Our "you can do it" t-shirts were on under our many layers. As we approached the starting line, the freezing rain turned to snow. We were in a winter wonderland as we flew down the racecourse. Before we knew it, we had passed one boat and were quickly leaving them in the dust. Every stroke, we worked to make the next one better than the last. After we passed through the finish line, we breathed a sigh of relief. As we worked our way back to dry, warm clothes, we cheered on the other three freshman 8+s as they finished.
It was a great day at the river. Even though the rest of the races were cancelled for the day due to the poor weather, I am so happy that we were able to race and come together as a team. With one race under our belts as collegiate rowers, I cannot wait for the spring to be here. I will never forget this race partially because of the snow, but mostly because it showed our commitment and brought us even closer as a team.
- Amanda Chikowski '15
