Addison Zint '26 Recruiting Profile

From the first moment I saw a rowing shell gliding across the water, I was captivated by the person that didn’t have an oar. Since then I have been dreaming of being a coxswain. Fall 2022 was my first chance to achieve this dream. I learned that being a coxswain is harder but even more special than had ever imagined.  As a coxswain, my role extends beyond steering and shouting calls, inspiring and motivating my crew to push their limits, achieve greatness, and always being a student of the sport. 

Now as I take my seat in the coxswain position, I feel the anticipation and energy pulsating through my veins. This is where I belong, guiding my team toward victory. My obsession with coxing runs deep, and it has shaped me into the person and leader I am today.

One of the most exhilarating aspects of being a coxswain is the opportunity to lead. I thrive on the responsibility of guiding my teammates through the toughest of races, the toughest training sessions, and the harshest conditions., knowing now that that is how boats go fast. I understand the importance of effective communication, seamlessly blending technical instructions with words of encouragement to maximize performance. 

Coxing has taught me invaluable life lessons. I’ve learned that resilience is forged in the face of setbacks, as I navigated my boat through turbulent waters and rallied my crew to push through fatigue. I’ve experienced the beauty of teamwork, witnessing firsthand how individual strengths, when harnessed together, create an unstoppable force.

My journey as a coxswain has been filled with memorable moments. One particular race stands out in mind, we battle fierce crosswinds and rival boats that had beaten us in almost every race. On that day when my boat heard “attention go”, we soared off the start and sailed into opening water past 6 crews with only one holding on to us. With each stroke, I reminded my team of their relentless pursuit of excellence, pushing them beyond their limits. As we stood on the dock receiving our gold metals we knew we had given everything we could to support our team's aim at bringing home a state championship, ultimately placing 3rd in the state. Our bond as a team was forged through shared struggles and triumphs.

In closing, coxing has ignited a fire within me that burns brightly. It has shaped my character, taught me invaluable life lessons, and provided me with the privilege of leading remarkable individuals on and off the water. I will always be a student of the sport. I regularly remind myself of a saying Coach Hannah frequently used, ”It's not practice that makes perfect, it's perfect practice makes perfect, and in the end, no one can be perfect, it’s perfect practice makes improvement”. I know I have three more years to conquer before moving on to college, but I am going to make every moment count. My parents regularly remind us that hard work pays off, and I have every intention of displaying that over the remainder of my life.