Blake Van Doren '23 Recruiting Profile

I am the 2022-2023 Team Captain and row for Culver Varsity 8 and 4 boats. This summer, I joined the U20 USRowing program in the top 8 boat.  As a successful and driven lifelong athlete, I am passionate about rowing and being a valuable, coachable teammate. My hope is to contribute to a college program where I can  make a positive, meaningful impact. I want to be the best I can be and encourage my  team to do the same.

Rowing has become an immense part of my life since I was introduced to the sport in the Spring of my Sophomore year after transferring to Culver Military Academy in Indiana from Cascia Hall in Oklahoma. I have always loved athletics and working in a team environment. At Cascia Hall, I was a varsity tennis and varsity basketball starter since my freshman year. Shortly after arriving at Culver, I entered the rowing program and enjoyed the new challenges of pushing boundaries and breaking through barriers with myself and my team. 

I work hard every day to improve myself, to reach goals, and to better my abilities. Summer 2021, I trained with Sarasota High Performance Crew. At the conclusion of the program, we competed in the US Rowing Summer Nationals in Camden, New Jersey. I rowed stroke seat in a pair and a coxed four for the U19 events. I also rowed in an eight for the U19 group. I am excited to keep competing at high levels and to see how far I can go with this incredible sport. 

Teamwork and leadership are a significant part of my character. Since Culver Military Academy is built on leadership, I have learned how to carry myself in high pressure situations as well as how to lead by example and offer all the help I can give. I have also had many opportunities to better my teamwork skills through certain classes and activities at Culver. I am a confident, relaxed and focused individual which has benefited me both in the military process at Culver and in athletics. I am always open to instruction, criticism and help from my coaches and teammates.