TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

I got started in rowing four years ago at Geneseo, then two years ago I transferred to UB and I started rowing here two years ago.

2. Your varsity eight boat finished second at the Knecht Cup. How big of an accomplishment was that?

Well, we had never medaled at that regatta, so that was a pretty big accomplishment. It was actually a very big accomplishment because we had never beaten the University of Massachusetts or the University of Rhode Island and we beat both of them this weekend. We have never placed in the top three there so to come in second was a big accomplishment.

3. In the fall, you compete in head races whereas in the spring, you compete in sprint races. What are the differences between the two and is preparation between the two any different?

In the fall, the races are 5K races, so they are longer, so we train accordingly. The spring is more competitive, it is our 2K season. That is what most schools are training for and it is more exciting. That is where you want to be, in the spring racing 2K’s.

4. Last year you raced in varsity four and now you are racing in varsity eights, what is the transition like between the two?

In the eights, it is easier to set up and balance the boat but it really isn’t that difficult of a transition. Eights, to me personally, are more fun to row because you have more people and because the varsity eight is the big event in the spring season.

5. This weekend your team has its one and only home race of the season. How special is that event, considering that it is the only one you have at home?

We are excited because we don’t always get a home event every year. So the fact that we do this year is nice and if we keep winning against Eastern Michigan, which is the only other school in the MAC with rowing, then we get to keep having it at home, which is nice. When we are at home a lot of people can come and see what it is all about since most people don’t know what it is that we do. So it is nice and we are very excited about this weekend.

6. Your bio says that you were once employed at Darien Lake as a zombie character, explain that experience at little more?

During one summer, I worked as a costumed character at Darien Lake I was Daffy Duck and Sylvester the Cat. So in the fall, I worked at Fright Fest and basically we got to dress up as zombies. They did our hair and makeup and put fake blood on us, it was a fun job. We got to run around and scare people and we got to perform shows also.

7. What are your goals for the rest of the season?

We have three races left. Our home event this weekend, then Metros and Dad Vails. After this past weekend, since we took second, our major goal now is to train as hard as we can so that when we go to Dad Vails we can hopefully beat Bucknell and take home the gold medal.

8. Do you have a pre-race routine and if so, what is it?

We rest, then, as a group not really. Personally, I go over the race in my head, try to picture it, try to breathe and drink some Gatorade. I always drink Gatorade before a race, I don’t know why but I always do.

9. If you could play any other sport at UB, what and why?

I would play volleyball because I played volleyball in high school and I love volleyball. So, I would have to say volleyball.

10. What has been your favorite moment so far as a student-athlete at UB?

Definitely this past weekend at the Knecht Cup when the varsity eight took second. It is the best we have ever done and it was a great feeling.