Ian Sutherland '25 Recruiting Profile

I began rowing in the fall of my sophomore year. I was a transfer student at a new school and was approached by a member my school’s crew team. I didn’t want to join because I was 70lbs overweight and didn’t think I was capable of doing anything athletic in my life. I turned him down - a mistake that could have cut so much opportunity from my life it gives me chills to this day. I am forever grateful he saw the potential in me and came back again until I reluctantly agreed. My time rowing in the fall was hell. I couldn’t keep up with the rest of team on runs or the erg. I would fall off the log doing jumping squats. It would have been so easy for me to quit but I became determined to become the best athlete I could and prove to myself and my coaches that I could become something greater. I began working out almost obsessively throughout the year. I went from 270lbs to 200lbs. I managed to take my 2k time from 7:57 to 6:22. Rowing has taught me how to overcome and thrive in difficult situations, a skill that I apply to every part of my life inside or outside of rowing.