University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Coxswain
/ Rowing
Catching Up With Megan Clark
10/11/2019 1:35:00 PM | Rowing
As a 5'2" freshman, Megan Clark went to try out for the rowing team at the University of Minnesota. After making the team, the Hartland, Wis. native spent her first season as a rower for the novice team before making the switch to varsity as a sophomore. Moving up to varsity wasn't the only change Clark would make that season, she would also become a coxswain, a position better suited for her due to her height. Now, heading into her third year with the team, the junior is ready to take on a new season under a new coaching staff.
Gopher Sports: How did you get involved with Gopher Rowing?
Megan Clark: I walked on. I was a swimmer in high school and when I came to college, I knew I wanted to be on a team. I decided to tryout and was actually a rower my novice year. During my sophomore year, I talked to the coach and we decided that coxing would be a better fit for me because I am really short. The transition was pretty smooth because I already had background knowledge from my novice season.
GS: What is your favorite part about being a coxswain?
MC: I like being able to bring out my motivational side. I feel like I can motivate myself really well, but I might not be the best athlete, so I can't perform as well as some of the people I am motivating. It's fun to use that part of me and see it come out in everyone who is in the boat instead of just myself.
GS: What is the toughest part about being a coxswain?
MC: The multitasking. It's a lot of figuring out where you are on the water, keeping track of where everyone else is, what the coaches want you to do, making sure your rowers are doing the right thing and a lot of mental work trying to figure out what the boat needs.
GS: As a coxswain, what does practice look like for you?
MC: Getting on the water is the easiest way to practice because you are in the boat doing everything you would be doing in a race. When we are in the winter season and inside a lot, I usually watch videos online of other coxswains racing and listen to their calls. Watching videos of races that I know we are going to and learning courses helps a lot as well. The Head of the Charles Regatta requires a lot of course prep, so figuring out what bridges you can go under and the best strategy to win the race.
GS: What is your favorite part about being on this team?
MC: The team culture. Having this really supportive group of women to help push me through school and really anything in my life, is amazing. I found my people on this team.
GS: Do you prefer to cox in the 8s or the 4s?
MC: I like the 8s. I like being able to see all of the blades in the 8. In the 4, you are sitting in the bow, so you can't see much. It's hard to see what the rowers need technically in the 4.
GS: How far has this team come since you first joined it?
MC: It's changed a lot. Every year has some changes, especially going from Novice to Varsity. We have gone through a few coaching changes. It is evolving, especially in technique. This year, we are doing a lot of technical work and are working on focusing together on what we are doing in the boat versus just pulling really hard. That is definitely a positive change.
GS: Why did you pick your major? What do you want to do with it?
MC: Yes, and I am also minoring in health and wellness promotion. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I knew I liked chemistry, but didn't want to major in it. One of my parent's friends is a Sensory Scientist at a cheese company in Wisconsin, so I shadowed her and fell in love with it. I didn't realize that food science was a thing you could do. I am able to connect food, which is something I love, to science, which is another thing I love. I did research and development in quality this past summer and I liked that, but I still want to explore my options.
GS: What are you most looking forward to this season?
MC: I'm looking forward to traveling with the team and being able to bond. Last year in the spring, we traveled a lot, and it really brought the team closer because you are spending so much time together.
GS: When you aren't involved with school or rowing, what do you like to do in your free time?
MC: My family has a cabin on a lake up North, so I love boating, jet skiing and honestly any water activity. In the winter, I love to go snowmobiling. I have been doing that since I was literally born.
Quick Hits:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: The Office
One thing you can't live without: My friends
Dogs or cats: Dogs
Does pineapple belong on pizza: No
Gopher Sports: How did you get involved with Gopher Rowing?
Megan Clark: I walked on. I was a swimmer in high school and when I came to college, I knew I wanted to be on a team. I decided to tryout and was actually a rower my novice year. During my sophomore year, I talked to the coach and we decided that coxing would be a better fit for me because I am really short. The transition was pretty smooth because I already had background knowledge from my novice season.
GS: What is your favorite part about being a coxswain?
MC: I like being able to bring out my motivational side. I feel like I can motivate myself really well, but I might not be the best athlete, so I can't perform as well as some of the people I am motivating. It's fun to use that part of me and see it come out in everyone who is in the boat instead of just myself.
GS: What is the toughest part about being a coxswain?
MC: The multitasking. It's a lot of figuring out where you are on the water, keeping track of where everyone else is, what the coaches want you to do, making sure your rowers are doing the right thing and a lot of mental work trying to figure out what the boat needs.
GS: As a coxswain, what does practice look like for you?
MC: Getting on the water is the easiest way to practice because you are in the boat doing everything you would be doing in a race. When we are in the winter season and inside a lot, I usually watch videos online of other coxswains racing and listen to their calls. Watching videos of races that I know we are going to and learning courses helps a lot as well. The Head of the Charles Regatta requires a lot of course prep, so figuring out what bridges you can go under and the best strategy to win the race.
GS: What is your favorite part about being on this team?
MC: The team culture. Having this really supportive group of women to help push me through school and really anything in my life, is amazing. I found my people on this team.
GS: Do you prefer to cox in the 8s or the 4s?
MC: I like the 8s. I like being able to see all of the blades in the 8. In the 4, you are sitting in the bow, so you can't see much. It's hard to see what the rowers need technically in the 4.
GS: How far has this team come since you first joined it?
MC: It's changed a lot. Every year has some changes, especially going from Novice to Varsity. We have gone through a few coaching changes. It is evolving, especially in technique. This year, we are doing a lot of technical work and are working on focusing together on what we are doing in the boat versus just pulling really hard. That is definitely a positive change.
GS: Why did you pick your major? What do you want to do with it?
MC: Yes, and I am also minoring in health and wellness promotion. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I knew I liked chemistry, but didn't want to major in it. One of my parent's friends is a Sensory Scientist at a cheese company in Wisconsin, so I shadowed her and fell in love with it. I didn't realize that food science was a thing you could do. I am able to connect food, which is something I love, to science, which is another thing I love. I did research and development in quality this past summer and I liked that, but I still want to explore my options.
GS: What are you most looking forward to this season?
MC: I'm looking forward to traveling with the team and being able to bond. Last year in the spring, we traveled a lot, and it really brought the team closer because you are spending so much time together.
GS: When you aren't involved with school or rowing, what do you like to do in your free time?
MC: My family has a cabin on a lake up North, so I love boating, jet skiing and honestly any water activity. In the winter, I love to go snowmobiling. I have been doing that since I was literally born.
Quick Hits:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: The Office
One thing you can't live without: My friends
Dogs or cats: Dogs
Does pineapple belong on pizza: No
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