by Ruby Lyon
Alina joined the Queens middle school team when she was only twelve years old. At that time, Alina saw the varsity girls’ team as “deities”. Varsity benchmarked where she wanted her rowing career to be; they drove her goals and athletic ambitions. By 9th grade, Alina was determined to break the defining line between recreational and college competitive rowing – an erg 2k time under eight minutes.
In her junior year, Alina had not only made the Varsity eight, she was also selected to row in the highly coveted Varsity four boat for the Head of Charles regatta. She looks back at this race and remembers, “I could have come in last, I could have come in first, it didn’t matter…I was proud of the race we did, and I was proud of my crew.” That winter, she shaved twelve seconds off her previous 2k score and earned a competitive time under eight minutes. By the spring, Alina and her team made the New York State Championships. She felt empowered being a junior in a senior boat, achieving the goals she had set so long ago, and most importantly, gaining all of her successes alongside the team she had grown up with.
Towards the end of her junior year, Alina discovered she had fractured her spine in two places, an injury that developed early in her rowing career. For most rowers this is devastating news – and at first it was. Alina made a decision though. She embraced her injury and found new ways to be a part of the team without looking back.
We are so incredibly proud of Alina’s dedication to achieving her goals, supporting the Row New York community, and sharing her positive strength. Additionally, Alina is a finalist for the Posse Scholarship – a prestigious award, which builds leaders and provides full funding for college tuition. She hopes to attend Smith College next year.
Alina shows us that even when life throws you setbacks, there are always new ways to do the things you love.
Rowers should always be aware of the importance of proper alignment both on and off the water to avoid injuries. Prevention is the best medicine – learn more here: http://www.worldrowing.com/news/the-dynamics-rib-pain
