Edina Shub '21 Recruiting Profile

Sometimes a leap of faith doesn’t land you on greener grass but instead gives you wings to fly. This is what crew taught me during the spring season of my sophomore year. I had started rowing in seventh grade and began to cox regularly in my freshman year.

As a new coxswain, I was put in the bottom novice girls' 8+, under the sophomore novice coxswains who had seniority over me. I spent most of my freshman year in that second 8+, as well as frequently racing the varsity women's third 8+, occasionally being placed in fantastic boats, such as the U17 women's first 8+, which won Southeast Regionals in 2018. When I moved up to varsity, I was ready for new challenges, new opportunities, and new boats; however, with the older coxswains still having seniority, I remained in the third 8+.

I loved the girls in that boat and enjoyed racing with them but wanted to do better; just as the fastest runners are always looking to improve, I was looking to become a stronger coxswain by taking on the challenges of faster boats. It was after the fall season of my sophomore year that I realized that I would have to initiate a change in order to pursue growth, so, after being placed in her boats as a stand-in coxswain at a few practices, I reached out to the coach of the varsity men and asked to join her squad. I didn't know it at the time, but several of the boys in the top men's 8+ had heard my recordings and wanted me as their coxswain, so instead of starting on the men's squad in the second 8+ as I had expected, I jumped right into the V8+. This was terrifying to me, as I didn't know these boys. Their speed, the new equipment we got to use, and their experience and age over me were intimidating, but over time, we became a family. This was my first self-recognized leap of faith. I did not simply walk to greener grass and relax, nor did I sit back and allow change to approach me. I had to run into a new environment where I faced new challenges to earn the experiences, relationships, and growth I now have.

So what did I learn, and how do I use it? I learned that in academics as well as athletics, you must pursue change if you want to grow, whether that entails switching squads, choosing a risky essay topic, or testing your limits in advanced classes. I use this knowledge every day when I push myself past obstacles in my classes and take leaps towards change, because no improvement can be made when everything remains the same, and I am always looking to better myself in school, athletics, and my relationships not only with others, but also with myself. My latest leap was moving from my mother's house in Raleigh to my father's house in Marvin to change my environment so that I can be healthy. I had to suddenly leave my whole life behind; my friends, team, school, and family remain in Raleigh. I am scared, but I remember the last time I felt this way and the growth I experienced by fighting through it. I will be in a new school, I will grow with a new team, I will find myself among new friends and family, but one thing is notably different than it was before: now I know the strength I have to push through my academic, athletic, and social struggles, and I am ready to bring my newfound strengths and zeal for growth to my future team and institution.