Wanted: tall ‘extremely gritty’ females

Sports Odds and Ends

These are among the qualities that Gophers Assistant Rowing Coach Victoria West (since 2019) looks for when she’s recruiting prospects for women’s rowing.

“We’re looking for someone that’s tall. That’s really important,” she noted. Being 5-5 herself, “I always root for the people that might be like me but we’re naturally drawn to people that are taller (females at least 5-9 or taller make great rowers), but at the same time we’re looking for people that are extremely gritty.”

Rowing—often called crew in the U.S.—is racing boats using oars. It has been an Olympic sport since 1900 (men only), and both men and women since 1976. It is perhaps the ultimate team sport as it puts the participant’s back, legs and upper body to the test of endurance, as well as a test of mind over matter.

A potential rower may not have previous rowing experience, but as West explained, “We want to know how you did in your other sports. I want to know you as a person. Tell me what kind of challenges did you go through and how did you get through them when you were faced with their adversity. That tells me a lot about the kind of potential that they’ll have for development while working with me.”

Women’s rowing is a fully funded NCAA sport. Minnesota women’s rowing started in 2000 as the school’s 12th women’s varsity sport.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

West’s coaching responsibilities include working with novice rowers. During our discussion, she pointed out that it would be ideal if she could find some Black females as well.

There are 151 Black females in college rowing today (down from 216 in 2014). West is one of five Black female assistant coaches (there were seven in 2020).

There have been some Blacks in rowing over the years but largely the sport remains White. Denise Aquino and Patricia Destine are two women of color who are dedicated to promoting diversity within the sport of rowing through their podcasts. Both are former rowers, and together they have almost 25 years’ experience.

Anita DeFrantz was the first Black female on the first USA Olympic rowing team in the 1970s.

Now in her sixth year as assistant coach, West began rowing in high school and continued in college, where she earned several honors including being a four-time gold medalist.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Diversifying the sport “still is challenging” on several fronts, said West. “The sport of rowing historically is not something that is available to everyone.” But she added, “There are a lot more programs that are coming up. Other inner-city programs are starting, which is fantastic.”

A self-professed single-minded, driven individual, West admitted she had to adjust her coaching approach after becoming a first-time mother. “I’m usually a very rigid person where I’m very set in my ways…but this year I approached it in a different way being a new mom,” said West.

Minnesota’s spring season starts March 10 in Chula Vista, California against Gonzaga, the first of four scheduled meets before the Big Ten Invitational in Florida in April. “It looks like this will probably be my fastest novice class yet,” said West. “I think this is going to be the best one since I’ve been here.”

Finally…

St. Thomas junior guard Jade Hill (Minneapolis) surpassed 1,000 career points on January 25, becoming the first player in the school’s Division I era to surpass this milestone.

Kaiden Mbereko, the Colorado College sophomore goalie, is one of 17 NCHC nominees for the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey’s top player.

Norfolk State junior forward Kierra Wheeler (Minneapolis) was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year last week.

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.