Rowing for University of Michigan

After enrolling at UM, Madison was recruited to join the women's novice rowing team.  She had to go through a long try out period and was selected for the team!  The practices were brutal and she was spending up to 30 hours a week with the team.  She had NO free time at all.  But boy did she get buff!!

This led to their first scrimmage in early November with Ohio State. It was an overcast, blustery day. These were all novice rowers and very few had been on the team the previous year.  All us parents were walking around pretty confused as to what was going on!

I had no idea that they row in their socks - and they get really soaked when rowing!

They all have to listen and follow instructions very carefully.

Rowing is one of the ultimate TEAM sports.  They have to work in perfect unison to be fast.

I  had also thought they rowed in rivers - but this was clearly a lake!  And where they had all their practices too.

Ultimately UM won the scrimmage I guess although none of it was very clear as to how and why!

Madison was really glad to be "done".  She was standing there soaking wet and freezing with the wind blowing so hard.

I wasn't in quite the right spot for this picture opp but it's still cute. Madison is in the lower right corner.

And then two days later, she quit the team.  She made the tough decision that she didn't "love it" and it was impacting her studies/classes.  Something had to give - she was starting to stress and have panic attacks with just having too much on her plate.  She has no regrets for having joined and loved the experience but it was time to move back to focusing on school!