Olivia Knight '24 Recruiting Profile

I started playing basketball when I was 4 years old and played at the school and club level for more than 12 years. My twin sister and I led our freshman team to an undefeated season, and I expected to play basketball through college. Then, in late August of 2020, a friend of mine shared that she was going to “rowing practice”. It stuck with me because I was born in Boston and my mom often talked about her undergraduate experience at Boston University and how she was asked to row, and wished she had. Always wanting to try new things, I joined my friend at a “learn to row” just a few weeks later. My first day in a boat on the water set my athletic trajectory in an unplanned and exciting direction. The decision to try something new led me to a sport I love and to success I’ve been grateful to achieve.

For my first two years of high school, I played varsity basketball, club basketball and rowed. I attended classes, 2.5 hours of basketball practice and then immediately traveled to Dallas to attending rowing practice – typically another three hours. After finding success on the water and on the erg, I knew it was time to make the difficult decision to specialize in rowing.

I’ve worked to get to a 7:35 erg time and am confident I will improve that so much more. I’ve won first place at large regattas while experiencing learning opportunities at others. I often lift in the morning and row at night, trying to get as much technical practice and strength and conditioning in as I can each day. I’ve maintained 4.0 GPA while increasing course difficulty. I love being a leader on the team, having fun, and making people feel supported as they work towards their personal goals. I am often told I make people laugh and brighten the room when I enter. It’s important to me to bring light in every interaction I make.

Outside of school and athletics, I work at my church caring for children in the nursey and pre-k classes. I have gone on a mission trip every summer since the 8^th grade. I love helping others, especially those most in need. I volunteer with a group called SASO (Scholars and Athletes Serving Others) and have already clocked 120+ hours of community service by the start of my junior year. I love to travel, I love my two rescue dogs and family, and I am so excited to accomplish great things on a rowing team in college.