Jon Knecht '17 Recruiting Profile

    In preparing for the collegiate experience in both academics and rowing, I strive to set high goals and standards for myself to accomplish. With this year being my fifth year rowing, I have had the honor to look back on my career as a rower from 7th grade to Junior year; and through this reflection, I continue to realize all that I have accomplished and everything that I am capable of for the future.

    Coming into the sport of rowing as an overweight 7th grader, I was relatively unsure of how well I would succeed. Past sports such as football and basketball never really seemed to fall into place as being something I was passionate about. However, after quickly getting on the water in a scull and experiencing the stroke for the first time, I knew that rowing was the sport for me. Since then, I have made numerous accomplishments both on the water and on the erg that have proved to myself that I am both successful and capable of much in rowing.

    While rowing is one of the most important aspects of my life, I also acknowledge the significance of academics and my career after college. I take pride in myself living up to the challenge of balancing rowing six days a week in high-school and excelling in my schoolwork. I have noticed over my five years of rowing that both the sport itself and school seem to complement one another. I have always been dedicated to schoolwork, however through rowing I push myself beyond what I may have previously thought impossible, which carries over into school as well. The success that I gain in both school and rowing from this determination to succeed ultimately benefits both how I row and study.

    One aspect I hope to gain out of my experience as a college rower is simply being the best rower, student, and person I can be. I wish to challenge myself and succeed in my endeavors, but I also hope to contribute to a community that I enjoy being a part of and regard as home.