Olivia Herman '17 Recruiting Profile

This summer marks one of the most exciting and fulfilling seasons I have ever experienced.  Like the rest of the country, I eagerly watched the Olympics.  Cheering on the Women’s Eight as they won Gold was emotional for me.  My hope is that their hard work and enthusiasm for the sport is opening up a new generation of athletes.  In fact, in my position as an Assistant Coach in the “Summer Row” Program at PNRA, I saw a huge increase in the interest and participation from both novice and advanced rowers.  I am truly excited for the future of rowing; I am determined to train and compete in the sport throughout my undergraduate and graduate career.

As part of my college preparation, I spent nearly every summer day on the water.  I trained with several masters and varsity boats, and taught both novice and advanced rowers.  These experiences had a tremendous effect on my growth as a coxswain and as a person.  The Assistant Coach position enabled me to gain a new perspective on the mechanics of the stroke, as well as to effectively, strategically and successfully teach rowers of varying abilities.  That skill served me well in my position as a Sport Expert for the Special Olympics.  Over the course of several weeks, I worked with Special Olympic athletes to introduce them to rowing through erging and erg competitions.  I truly hope that the athletes got as much from our time together as I did.  The determination and pure, unfiltered joy that they expressed while learning and competing is something I will never forget.  I endeavor to nurture that resolve and fortitude in the rowers I work with in the future.  

I work extremely hard to prepare myself academically for the rigors of college.  As a student athlete, I know it is incumbent upon me to be a leader both on the water and in the classroom.  My academic and athlete record supports and speaks to that philosophy.  I am strengthened by the confidence that crew drives me and school fulfills me.  I seek a school that can help me to build upon those ideals.  I am eager to grow as a student and an athlete; I want to contributing to a school and a team where passion and excellence go hand in hand.