Like every other crew competing at this week’s Henley Women’s Regatta, the Purdue varsity eight is composed of an eclectic group of women fused into a single, determined unit. Each as her own background. Each has her own career path. Each has he own personality. But once they climb into a shell together, they become one — one boat, one crew, one goal.
As a celebration of the individuals that comprise the Purdue women’s varsity eight, here is a closer look at the women chasing Henley’s Sports Council Cup ...
Name: Kaitlyn Egan
Class: Junior
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Ind.
Major: General Health Services (Pre-Med)
Seat: coxswain
Favorite part of the trip to England thus far: Going inside St. Paul’s Cathedral and climbing all 530 steps to look at surrounding London.
The biggest challenge of competing at the Women’s Henley Regatta: The differences in the Henley race course, including it only being 1,500 meters, a duel, and the course being lined with beams and rods. Plus, avoiding all those swans!
Greatest memory of Purdue’s victory at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta: Coming into the last 250 meters and hearing the roar of the crowd really pushing us to give it our all.
You may not know it from looking at me ... : I can’t swim and my rowers worry about me drowning when it gets really wavy.
Favorite book: The Great Gatsby
Favorite movie: Jurassic Park
Favorite song: Detroit City by Eminem
Favorite food: Chocolate
Favorite TV show: House
Favorite quote: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” - Steve Prefontaine
Name: Samantha Jayne Warner
Class: Senior
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Major: Biology
Seat: One (Bow)
Favorite part of the trip to England thus far: Seeing the Queen drive out of Windsor Castle.
The biggest challenge of competing at the Women’s Henley Regatta: Not having any idea of the competition (opponent) ahead.
Greatest memory of Purdue’s victory at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta: Coming up to the grandstands at the medaling dock and hearing everyone cheer so loud. I cried.
You may not know it from looking at me ... : I always have an itch to hike a long trail or bike across a state or climb a mountain.
Favorite book: The Harry Potter series
Favorite movie: Batman Begins
Favorite song: Innerpartysystem by Last Night in Brooklyn
Favorite food: Sauteed veggies, pumpkin toast and coffee
Favorite TV show: Biggest Loser, Modern Family
Favorite quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” - Ghandi
Name: Amanda Elmore
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: West Lafayette, Ind.
Major: Biology
Seat: Two
Favorite part of the trip to England thus far: Our first few practices on the Thames when we got to see the area and the rowing culture.
The biggest challenge of competing at the Women’s Henley Regatta: Keeping my head in the boat. There are so many crews, houses and people to look at.
Greatest memory of Purdue’s victory at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta: I remember rounding the turn and Katie (Egan) yelling that we were in first. At that point, I realized that it was possible.
You may not know it from looking at me ... : I was a gymnast for 12 years even though I’m 5’10” now.
Favorite book: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Favorite movie: Armageddon
Favorite song: Anything but Ordinary by Avril Lavigne
Favorite food: Sweet potatoes and artichokes
Favorite TV show: Monk
Favorite quote: “It’s not enough to just be in the boat. You have to make it win.” - Coach Sandy Calfo
Name: Emily Rhiver
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Fishers, Ind.
Major: Math Education
Seat: Three
Favorite part of the trip to England thus far: Seeing the Tower Bridge and the Queen.
The biggest challenge of competing at the Women’s Henley Regatta: Not knowing who the competition is and not knowing what to expect.
Greatest memory of Purdue’s victory at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta: Sitting at the finish line and finally knowing we won.
You may not know it from looking at me ... : I’m sightly OCD; for instance, everything must be in its place and I prefer to be on the left.
Favorite book: The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
Favorite movie: Titanic
Favorite song: Moment for Life by Nicki Minaj
Favorite food: Chicken Alfredo
Favorite TV show: Gilmore Girls
Favorite quote: “Pulling with each other, for each other.”
Name: Rachel Young
Class: Senior
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.
Major: Law & Society
Seat: Four
Favorite part of the trip to England thus far: Being able to see the Queen and having the opportunity to race in another country.
The biggest challenge of competing at the Women’s Henley Regatta: Rowing on a duel race course versus our five-to-six lane boat races.
Greatest memory of Purdue’s victory at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta: Being commissioned into the U.S. Army on the (Aberdeen Dad Vail) dock with my family and team, and being able to bring home the gold!
You may not know it from looking at me ... : I’m a huge movie buff ... half of my dialogue consists of movie quotes.
Favorite book: Red Rose Crew by Daniel J. Boyne
Favorite movie: Rocky
Favorite song: Bron-Y-Aur Stomp by Led Zeppelin
Favorite food: Italian hoagie
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite quote: “Suffer now ... strut later.”
Name: Molly Powers
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Noblesville, Ind.
Major: General Health Services (Pre-PT)
Seat: Five
Favorite part of the trip to England thus far: We saw the Queen leave Windsor Castle and she waved at us!
The biggest challenge of competing at the Women’s Henley Regatta: Getting used to a different kind of race course.
Greatest memory of Purdue’s victory at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta: Standing on the medals dock while our team sang the Purdue fight song.
You may not know it from looking at me ... : I love going to Indianapolis 500 every year with my dad.
Favorite book: Harry Potter
Favorite movie: The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
Favorite song: Moment for Life by Nicki Minaj
Favorite food: Macaroni and cheese.
Favorite TV show: Friday Night Lights
Favorite quote: “Be who you are and say how you feel, because those who mind, don’t matter and those who matter, don’t mind.” - Dr. Seuss
Name: Maggie Busse
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Ludlow Falls, Ohio
Major: Biological Engineering (Pre-Med)
Seat: Six
Favorite part of the trip to England thus far: Climbing up 530 stairs to get to the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral to look over London.
The biggest challenge of competing at the Women’s Henley Regatta: Not getting distracted by the scenery!
Greatest memory of Purdue’s victory at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta: Being so satisfied with the race that we would have been happy with whatever place we got.
You may not know it from looking at me ... : I don’t do doughnuts! (No sweets or desserts)
Favorite book: Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
Favorite movie: My Sister’s Keeper
Favorite song: Photograph by Def Leppard
Favorite food: Peanut Butter
Favorite TV show: Glee
Favorite quote: “I can do all things through God who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4.13 (Halfway through the semi-final race at Vails I was wondering how this was going to end and this quote came to mind. I forgot everything else, felt calm and rowed.)
Name: Louisa Mattingly
Class: Senior
Hometown: Zionsville, Ind.
Major: Communications/Public Relations
Seat: Seven
Favorite part of the trip to England thus far: I loved St. Paul’s Cathedral — how beautiful it was inside, the history, and the view from the top.
The biggest challenge of competing at the Women’s Henley Regatta: Not knowing anything about the competition and not being distracted in practice by the fact that we’re in England.
Greatest memory of Purdue’s victory at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta: I have had dreams of Dad Vail gold squashed before and we were being walked at with about 100 meters to go. Katie (Egan) just screamed, “Do not let this happen!” and we didn’t. I get chills when I think about that race.
You may not know it from looking at me ... : I’m going back to schools for nursing ... a big switch!
Favorite book: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite song: Murder of One by Counting Crows
Favorite food: Summer veggie stir-fry: yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach and cheese
Favorite TV show: Modern Family
Favorite quote: “Get up off your keister, get out of here and start doing the work. Nothing in this world worth having comes easy.” - Bob Kelso
Name: Ellen Rohlfing
Class: Senior
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Major: Computer Graphics Technology
Seat: Eight (Stoke)
Favorite part of the trip to England thus far: Watching the Queen drive past us.
The biggest challenge of competing at the Women’s Henley Regatta: The Thames is challenging to row because it is extremely narrow — every stroke has to be spot-on.
Greatest memory of Purdue’s victory at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta: Standing on the medals dock on the Schuylkill and receiving a gold medal as the team sang the Purdue fight song. It was just unreal.
You may not know it from looking at me ... : I am a violinist and love the fine arts.
Favorite book: The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Favorite movie: The Princess Bride
Favorite song: Cannon in D
Favorite food: Chocolate
Favorite TV show: River Monsters
Favorite quote: “If you’re gonna fly a bicycle, you better make sure ET’s sitting in the front basket.” - Earl (from My Name is Earl)
Name: Amanda Smith
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Ind.
Major: Biochemistry
Seat: Spare
Favorite part of the trip to England thus far: Seeing the Queen
Greatest memory of Purdue’s victory at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta: Walking away with the women’s point trophy.
You may not know it from looking at me ... : I was valedictorian of my high school.
Favorite book: Harry Potter
Favorite movie: Ten Things I Hate About You
Favorite song: Anything by Queen or Shinedown
Favorite food: Pizza or zucchini
Favorite TV show: Big Bang Theory
Favorite quote: “It’s not your aptitude, but you attitude, that will determine you altitude with a little intestinal fortitude.”
Name: Sandy Calfo, Head Coach
Hometown: Angula, Ind.
Favorite part of the trip to England thus far: The excitement of the group as they stepped off the plane in London.
The biggest challenge of competing at the Women’s Henley Regatta: Preparing for the shorter distance of the race course.
Greatest memory of Purdue’s victory at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta: Hearing “Hail Purdue” sung in the Grandstands.
Favorite quote: “Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.” - Unknown
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