Q & A with Anne Cowan
5/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
May 13, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Anne Cowan (London, Ont ) began rowing in high school and quickly discovered she loved it. Her passion shows in the accolades she's collected over the years. In high school, she was named Outstanding Novice Oarsman in 2001 and was her team's MVP in 2003.
Cowan recently helped the second varsity eight to a second-place finish in the Big Ten Championship on April 30, while earning Big Ten Freshman Rower of the Year honors. She looks to continue on that path to success in the South/Central Sprints May 14-15.
Q: What are some activities you enjoy doing in your spare time?
A: I like outdoor activities: sailing, skiing. I love spending time on the water.
Q: What is one thing not very many people know about you?
A: I eat grilled cheese sandwiches with ketchup.
Q: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make in the transition from high school to college life?
A: Adjusting to such a big school, learning time management and being part of such a competitive team. It wasn't a hard adjustment, but it's a good adjustment. I like it.
Q: How did you become interested in rowing?
A: I rowed all through high school in London, Ont. I got interested through a friend of a friend. We had a school team and a few of my friends and I decided to try out to see how we liked it and I stuck with it.
Q: What is the sport you watch most outside of crew?
A: I watch football and hockey.
Q: How does participating in crew help you in every day life?
A: Being on a team helps you learn to get along with people in any atmosphere. It's such a great atmosphere being on this team that you carry it outside of crew, too. My work ethic carries over, too.
Q: Do you have any particular habits when you are getting ready for a race?
A: We've been doing a lot of visualization. I close my eyes and try to picture ten perfect strokes in my head and I think about the race a lot. I take a few deep breaths before the race and then just go.
Q: What is the most difficult part of balancing academics and athletics?
A: It's actually not really that difficult. We have to attend study table eight hours a week, and that really makes you get on your work.
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