Eliot Paynter '21 Recruiting Profile

Two years ago when a friend asked me to check out Norcal Rowing Club’s Open House, I went on a whim. Following years of playing year-round club soccer and being somewhat obsessive with P90X regimens, I was ready for a change. Looking back now, I am struck by how that whim has turned into my obsession.

I currently attend a rigorous college preparatory high school located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and live my life under a “work hard / play hard” mantra. I am a member of our varsity men’s team, training under the leadership of Coach Jarrod McClendon. It has been incredible training with my teammates under him, as Jarrod has taught me through both words and actions the meaning of integrity, hard work, and pushing yourself beyond what you ever thought was possible. At 5’10 and 160 lbs, I have relied on my strong work ethic and building a solid rowing technique, to compete on our club’s Varsity team. I worked through a strained oblique over the winter and found a new love for our Peloton, home erg and a basic fitness routine that I have done each day in my garage during these last few months of COVID. It has been great to get back on the water sculling starting in September with the club, as we all work together to get through in-person meeting restrictions. COVID has been frustrating, limiting our ability to row and compete as a team, but I have stayed true to my coach’s training regimen, and with his oversight hit a 2K time of 6:37 last week. I feel that I have more to give, and will do another 2K later this month. Having broken the 6:40 mark following the restrictive shelter in place rules in northern California gives me confidence that anything is possible.

I demand more of myself than anyone ever would of me. My teammates like me, because I set incredibly high standards, and always follow through on my word to deliver what the team needs. I work harder than anyone else. I am technically as strong as anyone else, and for my size, I hold my own on the varsity roster.

My teammates would describe me as incredibly hard working and disciplined, and one of the more technically-accomplished rowers on the boat. They may also call out their shock at my ability to down as many pancakes as our heaviest heavy weight during our post Saturday morning practice team brunches. My teammates are my good friends, and I feel lucky that 6 days a week, whether in the dark early mornings or in the afternoon erg sessions, we are all there for each other, to cheer and encourage each other on, and to push each other beyond our limits.

Academically speaking, I am lot smarter than my freshman year grades would suggest. The distraction at age 14 of starting my online business (HypedUp.shop) proved very lucrative, but also distracting as I transitioned into Sacred Heart Prep. Rowing helped put structure to my days, but more so, taught me how to focus and deliver results. I am a very independent-minded, creative and entrepreneurial person, who is focused on academic success and who wants to pursue a combined business and computer science degree in a competitive college (ideally in a school under 10,000 students in size). Put me in a setting with the most academically-capable kids in the country, where students with passion work to problem-solve in new ways, and I will thrive. Throw in rowing, and I will find true happiness. 

Things to know about me, beyond my academic interests and my love of rowing, is that I like to start and build things. I raise chickens and manage a coral fish tank project at school. I started a high school bee club, know how to build drones, bake an amazing loaf of bread, and work part-time for a digital health company addressing food scarcity needs during COVID. I am always moving, and energized by discovering new ways to solve problems. I probably also could figure out how to fix your car engine, too, following many sessions of taking my own car apart and still manage to get it to work. In general, I am a pretty capable and interesting person that you want around, especially in a pinch.

I am hungry. I am hard working. I am bright, and I would make a difference to a team. Nothing would make me happier than being able to pursue both my academic goals and rowing for my college team.  Thank you in advance for considering me.