Sophie Goldstein '25 Recruiting Profile

I'm a first year rower but serious athlete since 7 years old.  I have always enjoyed competition and the daily grind of being an athlete.  Tennis was my sport of choice from 7-16 years old. When I chose to play competitive tennis at 12 years old I was training 3-4 hours a day, on and off the court and tournaments on the weekends.  In Summer of 2021 I was selected as a member of the USA 16U tennis team for the Maccabiah Games in Israel.  I was in Israel for one month volunteering, training and representing USA in tennis.  I loved the sport and competition of tennis but something was missing.  After numerous discussions with my parents they encouraged me to give rowing a try.  I joined a Learn to Row camp for 2 weekends in Orlando in March of 2023 and felt like it was something I wanted to pursue further.  I walked away from competitive tennis, though I will still pick up a racquet here and there, to pursue rowing full time.  I have always loved being on the water whether being on a wakeboard or on the boat.  I felt very comfortable the moment I was in a racing boat, even with the “actual gators” in Newnans Lake in Gainesville Florida. After trying out rowing I realized what I was missing in tennis was a TEAM.  Tennis can be a lonely sport and I am looking forward to racing with my current teammates and teammates in the future as a high level college athlete. I thrive in challenging situations and the fact that I am able to balance my rowing training schedule, training workouts, and my rigorous academic schedule (5 AP courses with a 4.7 weighted GPA) will only help me prepare for the schedule of a collegiate rower.  I am motivated and determined to lower my ERG times as well as better my technique and drive on the water. I joined the Gainesville Area Rowing Club in July 2023 and am determined to do all that I can to join a competitive college rowing team in Fall of 2025.