Ana Maria Cardozo-Leigh '27 Recruiting Profile

I was first introduced to rowing at a summer camp June before my Eighth-grade year. I quickly fell in love with the sport and decided I would sign up to become an official crewmate that year. I began during winter season and was extremely eager for Spring racing to begin. After my first race that Spring, I was absolutely hooked. I had tried countless sports throughout my adolescence, but nothing ever really captivated me like rowing did.

Rowing has taught me how to become a team player, giving me a positive and hardworking attitude that I am so appreciative for. I’ve created some of my strongest friendships through this sport due to the respect for others, and our common goal of each trying our absolute hardest for each other. The shared purpose a crew instills in each rower really creates a unique unbreakable bond. Rowing has also brought a new light onto fitness for me that I had never imagined. Before becoming a rower, I never saw  myself as an athlete, but now I know I am able to push myself with each practice, be mindful of my nutrition, and maintain a healthy mindset. I believe rowing has even made me a better student by helping my management skills, and because the same extreme drive to work hard on the water I more than ever apply to my studies.

I would love to continue to row during my university years; I would love to be part of a crew where I could grow athletically as well as academically as both are incredibly important to me. I believe I am suitable for collegiate level of training and understand what it means and takes. The people close to me would describe me as hard working, dedicated, uplifting, and a great teammate or leader when the situation calls for one. The handful of years I have dedicated to this sport have  showed me  how I alone can work hard and strive to be the best I can possibly be, in and out of the water. And  these are just some of the reasons, I believe I could make a significant and positive contribution to your team and program.