Camryn Polansky '18 Recruiting Profile

My name is Camryn Polansky. I believe I am unique in various ways...

I have grown up in a very athletic family. My grandfather won the Golden Gloves in boxing while at Marquette University; my uncle was a swimmer for Cambridge University (England) and my father rowed for Great Britain and Brown University (1995 Nat. Camps/Brown Athletic Hall of Fame). These men have helped shape who I am as an athlete and taught me the need to work hard to accomplish anything in life.

I am a very dedicated, passionate and hardworking person. I have been able to pursue and excel in my academic, athletic and extracurricular activities by balancing my life and committing to my goals.

I began competitive swimming when I was 5 years old.  As a jr. level swimmer I qualified for the State Championship meet in 2009.  I competed on my school swimming teams in middle school, was voted Captain,  and competed as a freshman and sophomore in high school.  I qualified for the State meet in swimming both my freshman and sophomore year.  I received a letter for my achievements both years in my Varsity swimming career.  I  also play women's golf for my high school team the past two years, have lettered as well as qualified for the Regional Tournament . Once I started rowing, I had an automatic passion and decided to pursue rowing over my other sports. I am part of a  program called Loveland Integrated School of Arts which holds higher curriculum standards than the standard graduating requirements.  I interviewed and was accepted in 2013.  I have received a letter of Academic Excellence (3.6 gpa and above) all years I have been enrolled in high school.

I also run my own business (www.camspirejewelry.com) - this is a business I started and self-funded. I design and make jewelry by up-cycling old or broken jewelry I purchase from stores, boutiques or are donated to me. My jewelry are one of a kind pieces that all carry a hand written message of encouragement in the retail packaging targeting teenage girls that are struggling with their self-esteem, confidence or self-worth.

I have been rowing for he past two years under the coaching of past US Olympian Mark Berkner. Our small club team has had tremendous success on the water and several girls have recently gone on to row in DI and DII colleges. We travel throughout Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma and Kansas to race. I was put in the stroke seat of our club 8 and the varsity quad within the first three weeks of learning how to row and have never looked back. I thrive in racing situations and really enjoy getting a boat to move fast. I am able to row both port and starboard. I am also very comfortable sculling. I have excellent endurance and enjoy both Olympic distance race and the longest of head races. For example; I have competed in The Horsetooth Ache Head Race which is a 14 mile race each of the last two years. I have stroked it one year and rowed 7 seat the next, winning our division both times including besting times from several local university crews. This past summer we also qualified and raced a Junior Club Nationals in NJ.

I have always dreamed of being apart of a collegiate rowing team. I love the personal connections I make with my teammates and with other crews we race. Being on a committed rowing team and pushing each other to become the best athletes we can be is a lot of fun! I believe I have the dedication, drive and strength that is necessary to excel at the college level. Most of my rowing has been on the water thus far but I am now also working during the offseason in the gym and on the erg to reach my goal!