University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Varsity
/ Rowing
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Catching Up With Maddie Mainwood
1/28/2020 5:23:00 PM | Rowing
Maddie Mainwood wasn't sure if she should try out for the rowing team her freshman year, but once she stepped foot in the boat house, she was hooked. She developed a bond with her novice teammates that has remained, even after they all made the switch to varsity. Although her life is busy with school and rowing, you can still find her in the kitchen cooking or with a camera in her hand.
Gopher Sports: How has your first season on Varsity been going?
Maddie Mainwood: It's been really good. I think it's been different for this class because we also went in with a coaching change. There has been a lot of learning and teamwork. It's been a good season so far and we have seen a lot of improvement within the team and personally, I have seen some improvements too.
GS: What was your Novice experience like?
MM: I loved my novice year. We had Jeff [Forrester] as our coach, which was also his first year. We had a pretty small team, so we got close quickly. That has helped with our class transitioning to varsity because we still have that bond from last season. It's been cool joining into a bigger team.
GS: Why did you decide to try out for the rowing team as a freshman?
MM: I swam in high school and I knew a lot of people rowed after they swam. During welcome week my freshman year, I saw a chalk drawing outside of the Rec and I thought it looked interesting. The night before the info meeting, friend came into my room and told me that I needed to try this out and that he thought I'd like it. I ended up loving it and never stopped going.
GS: How was it adjusting to becoming a college athlete?
MM: I never had imagined being a college athlete before coming to college, so it was a big adjustment. I was planning on joining clubs and trying to find my spot. Joining the rowing team was the best thing I could have done for myself. Right away, it gave me a solid foundation of friends and it also gave me a lot of support. College was a hard adjustment for me and rowing helped me with that transition.
GS: What is your favorite part about being on this team?
MM: The girls. We have some hard practices, but you always know that the people next to you are going through the same thing. I would have never met my best friends if I had not joined. They are there for you during practice, but they are also there for you outside of it.
GS: What do you like to do outside of rowing and school?
MM: I was an arts kid in high school, so I really like photography and making vlogs. I also enjoy baking, so there is always some sort of baked good at my house every week. Making cookies, decorating cupcakes and things like that is probably my favorite way to de-stress.
GS: Where is your favorite spot on campus to hang out or study?
MM: I don't go there a lot , but I enjoy going to Northrop. There is a little cafe in there and it's usually quiet. It's also very pretty.
GS: Who would you say is your biggest role model in life? Why?
MM: My mom and grandma. My whole life they have been these strong female role models. My mom is very motivating and encourages me. My grandma is the strongest woman I know. She has been through so much, but still puts on a smile and gets up the next day. For me, they have been the biggest role models because they show me that I can do anything.
Quick Hits
Coffee Order: Small coffee with a shot of vanilla and room for cream.
If you could trade lives for one day with anyone, who would it be: Sarah Bacon. She is very good at what she does and as a swimmer, I have always wanted to dive. To be that good at diving would be very cool.
Favorite holiday: It would probably be Thanksgiving. We always host it so I get to see all my family, and I get to bake.
Dream car: A pink bug convertible - the Barbie car.
Gopher Sports: How has your first season on Varsity been going?
Maddie Mainwood: It's been really good. I think it's been different for this class because we also went in with a coaching change. There has been a lot of learning and teamwork. It's been a good season so far and we have seen a lot of improvement within the team and personally, I have seen some improvements too.
GS: What was your Novice experience like?
MM: I loved my novice year. We had Jeff [Forrester] as our coach, which was also his first year. We had a pretty small team, so we got close quickly. That has helped with our class transitioning to varsity because we still have that bond from last season. It's been cool joining into a bigger team.
GS: Why did you decide to try out for the rowing team as a freshman?
MM: I swam in high school and I knew a lot of people rowed after they swam. During welcome week my freshman year, I saw a chalk drawing outside of the Rec and I thought it looked interesting. The night before the info meeting, friend came into my room and told me that I needed to try this out and that he thought I'd like it. I ended up loving it and never stopped going.
GS: How was it adjusting to becoming a college athlete?
MM: I never had imagined being a college athlete before coming to college, so it was a big adjustment. I was planning on joining clubs and trying to find my spot. Joining the rowing team was the best thing I could have done for myself. Right away, it gave me a solid foundation of friends and it also gave me a lot of support. College was a hard adjustment for me and rowing helped me with that transition.
GS: What is your favorite part about being on this team?
MM: The girls. We have some hard practices, but you always know that the people next to you are going through the same thing. I would have never met my best friends if I had not joined. They are there for you during practice, but they are also there for you outside of it.
GS: What do you like to do outside of rowing and school?
MM: I was an arts kid in high school, so I really like photography and making vlogs. I also enjoy baking, so there is always some sort of baked good at my house every week. Making cookies, decorating cupcakes and things like that is probably my favorite way to de-stress.
GS: Where is your favorite spot on campus to hang out or study?
MM: I don't go there a lot , but I enjoy going to Northrop. There is a little cafe in there and it's usually quiet. It's also very pretty.
GS: Who would you say is your biggest role model in life? Why?
MM: My mom and grandma. My whole life they have been these strong female role models. My mom is very motivating and encourages me. My grandma is the strongest woman I know. She has been through so much, but still puts on a smile and gets up the next day. For me, they have been the biggest role models because they show me that I can do anything.
Quick Hits
Coffee Order: Small coffee with a shot of vanilla and room for cream.
If you could trade lives for one day with anyone, who would it be: Sarah Bacon. She is very good at what she does and as a swimmer, I have always wanted to dive. To be that good at diving would be very cool.
Favorite holiday: It would probably be Thanksgiving. We always host it so I get to see all my family, and I get to bake.
Dream car: A pink bug convertible - the Barbie car.
Head of the Mississippi Hype
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Third Varsity Four Wins Again at B1G Invite
Monday, April 21
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Monday, April 21
First Varsity Four Wins at B1G Invite
Saturday, April 19