University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Spotlight: Christine Beauparlant
2/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
As the University of Minnesota prepares for the championship spring season, gophersports.com and the rowing program would like you to get to know the rowers away from the water. Our second Gopher spotlight is Christine Beauparlant. Here's a brief question/answer session with the Welland, Ont., native.
The first thought I had when joining the rowing program was: Everyone was really good friends with one another. There was no separation between freshman and seniors. Everyone was really nice and there weren’t any groupings of friends.
What made you chose Minnesota? The team was so friendly and welcoming, along with the coaches. The Minnesota coaches were, to me, the most supportive out of all the other coaches I had met with at different schools. Minnesota had been interested in me for a long time before decided, and that made me trust them, knowing that they really wanted me on the team.
The most challenging thing I’ve had to do in college so far is: Leaving my family. As a freshman it was almost impossible for me. I called home about five times a day, everyday. I missed home a lot that first year!
My most memorable sports experience was: Being the stroke seat for the first time in my rowing career. It was extremely new to me, having 3 other people behind me, depending on me to set the pace and rhythm. As a freshman, I felt a whole lot of responsibility and it gave me a whole new confidence to have the rest of my team recognize me as “the stroke” rather than just another rower.
What advice would you give to younger student-athletes? My advice would be, do your best to not become overwhelmed. Try to stay away from the typical athlete stereotype of not being a good student, and instead be the best student that you can be. Go to class, don’t miss assignments, and you’ll find that you won’t be as stressed out or homesick. Some other advice is to sleep whenever you can. Although it’s tempting to be a normal college student, being an athlete requires a lot more sleep and I’ve learned that the hard way.
If you were to compete in a different sport at the U, what would it be and why? Probably hockey. I think people would respect me more as a Canadian if they knew I was a hockey player….haha.
If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring three things, what would it be? Pillow, paint, canvas.
My teammates would describe me as: Dependable, loyal, family, Canadian, Ceebs.
If I could trade places with anyone for one day, who would it be and why? I would probably want to trade places with Jenna Schuder (Previous team captain) because last year when I first met her, I looked up to her so much. I remember she would text me every morning to make sure I didn’t sleep through practice, and she always talked to me when I needed help with anything. I would love to live a day in her shoes because I think I would learn so much. She is my idol and I want to grow up to be like her.
Something that most people wouldn’t have known about me is: That when im not at practice, I am addicted to makeup and plan on becoming a makeup artist.
Do you have a favorite pre-race pump up song? A favorite steady state song? Last Friday Night – Katy Perry Nineteen – Tegan and Sara
Favorite meal: Scalloped potatoes and Ham
What is your favorite U of M Tradition? The Goldy Cup! I watched the Goldy cup races when I came on my official visit and I’m glad that now I can be a part of it.
Players Mentioned
