University of Minnesota Athletics
Get to Know the Rowers: Katie Johnson
4/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Periodically through the championship season, gophersports.com will catch up with the varsity rowers in a question and answer session. Katie Johnson is this week's profile as she competes in her final home meet of her college career. The Gophers host Kansas this Saturday at Lake Phalen in St. Paul, Minn.
The first thought I had when joining the rowing program was:
This is going to be awesome. I’m going to make so many new friends and get really fit all at the same time!
The most challenging thing I’ve had to do in college so far is:
Combining rowing, scholastics and pleasure was hard. It still is hard to find the balance between those three things. It is difficult to return home from an exhausting practice and come face-to-face with the pile of homework that awaits you, when all you really want to do is relax on the couch and watch TV.
My most memorable sports experience was:
The entire 2007 racing season was fantastic. I was fortunate enough to be on the team and a part of a boat that would not only win a Big Ten Championship, but also a NCAA Championship. Winning races is fun, but winning championships tops it all.
What advice would you give to younger student-athletes?
Relax. When your “to do” list gets daunting, take it one task at a time, everything will get done.
If you were to compete in a different sport at the U, what would it be and why?
Definitely swimming; the swimmers and divers work so hard both in the pool and in the weight room. It’s incredible to watch them compete and train; they are the most efficient, fit athletes I’ve ever seen. I would love to be a part of such a team.
What has been your funniest road trip memory so far?
Every road trip has funny memories. Road trips bring the entire team together, bringing out the sense of humor in everyone. All of my teammates have the same sense of humor; something hilarious is bound to happen on the road.
If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring three things, what would it be?
A buddy, a water purifier, and a Swiss Army knife.
My teammates would describe me as:
Hilarious and hard-working.
How many songs do you have in your iPod?:
Anywhere between 2000-2200.
Favorite meal:
I love Mexican food; ideally I’d go to Ted’s Caf Escondido in Edmond, OK and eat all day long. I can’t get enough tortillas, salsa, queso and tortilla chips.