Abigail Wood '19 Recruiting Profile

For the majority of my time with Albany Rowing Center, I was a rower. It was only when an injury in my shoulder that made me recently switch to coxing. I loved the sport and the team too much to let an injury determine whether I quit or not, when I had the opportunity to cox. I had put a lot of time and effort into the team as captain; I was proud of all that handwork I had done. That competitive drive to overcome obstacles and succeed has translated over into many aspects in my life. Whether it be academically where I push myself to take rigorous classes and ask for help when I need it, or staying in shape for coxing by training for a marathon.

The reason why I want to continue coxing in college is because it's part of a sport I'm passionate about and I love working with people to make them better at something they love too. It was an amazing feeling to realize that a rower who had been notorious for not working hard, started to push himself when I started coxing him. By giving him advice on his stroke, as well as expressing my joy and love of the sport in a positive manner rather just arbitrarily screaming, made him find that drive as well. 

That love of working with people connects to what I want to do with the rest of my life which is going into public health. I want others to be able to overcome obstacles when it comes to the health and welfare of the community or just personally.