Oliver Orthwein '21 Recruiting Profile

Here’s an update regarding my rowing program:

FALL:  Currently, I am training with the Varsity Boys Team at Saratoga Rowing.  We train 6 days per week and finish up on the water just before Thanksgiving.  For the fall SRA has kept us on the water and we have graduated back to some doubles/pairs/quads/fours and we get out on the water about 5 days per week. Under the circumstances there has not been any focus on erging though SRA has just announced a winter program where we will row in the bays of the boathouse with the doors open or outside in the parking lot when weather allows.  With this training I am up to 165 lbs and have gained a lot of strength.  Now if I could only race!

SUMMER: As gyms opened up some in the summer I was able to work out masked  3x per week with a couple of other rowers and the trainer at the Peak Performance gym.  SRA put together a covid-revised-socially distant-masked summer program where we rowed in singles for most of the summer and it was so great to get back on the water and to see teammates in person.

MAY: On May 2^nd I had a bit of a set back as we had a house fire resulting in the total loss of our home.  It took a little while to get settled elsewhere and regroup but by the end of the month I was able to set up a makeshift gym in our barn and had a personal trainer help create workouts that I could do utilizing the equipment I had and I got into a regular daily lifting and strengthening program on my own.  

At the end of the Spring Season  I was awarded the Saratoga Rowing Association Most Improved Rower Award.  Each year this award is presented  to the individual who, through hard work has made the greatest development in rowing maturity, technique and strength. It was an honor to win this award as a junior.

MARCH AND APRIL 2020:  In person school and spring rowing shut down in March.  SRA was great about helping us maintain a virtual rowing community and regular at home workouts all spring.  

ABOUT ME: 

My most significant rowing accomplishment is earning a seat as a sophomore in the Varsity Men's Lightweight 8 last spring and medaling at Youth Nationals 2019  My spring season goal was to row in a boat at Youth Nationals again, but all racing was cancelled due to Covid -19. 

I am a dedicated teammate who believes in leading by example.  I focus, work hard, and no matter what, I want my teammates to say that "the boat is better with me in it.”  

I am a motivated student-athlete who likes and seeks challenge in the classroom and in my rowing and I am looking for a college or university that offers a strong academic environment and a high quality rowing program.  

I enjoy my math and science courses the most.  I like challenges and problem solving; numbers and spatial relationships.  I want to attend a college or university that offers me opportunities to pursue these interests in more depth and to discover a more specific path forward with other students who like to challenge themselves while working cooperatively as well.