Personal Statement
Hi! I’m Sasha Krigel!
Before I began rowing in my freshman year of high school, I had participated in a variety of sports, but never felt confident in my aptitude as an athlete. I was on volleyball, basketball, soccer, and softball teams, but I didn’t have a strong pull towards any sport in particular. Rowing not only changed my perspective about athletics and competition but altered how I think about myself as an athlete and as a human being. I attribute this change to the way rowing has forced me to challenge myself and push myself beyond my limit. I love how rowing necessitates learning teamwork and respect for teammates in a sport where collaboration is essential and requires paying close attention to seemingly small but significant details.
This year will be my third year rowing, and I feel like I have transformed since I started competing. Although practice is always hard, rowing is always the part of my day I most look forward to. It amazes me how quickly I have been able to form close bonds with my teammates and I feel incredibly lucky to have been influenced by their determination and tenacity. I feel as though seeking their input has helped me to grow exponentially as an athlete. Respect and tolerance are two of my core values, so I am grateful to have found a team that has fostered a community of trust and solidarity among athletes. Rowing has also taught me dedication and a disciplined work ethic that I have been able to apply to my life in school and other extracurriculars. I love the gratification I experience when I push through discomfort to accomplish one of my goals, both during hard pieces and in my school work.
A little more about me...
Something that is pretty immediately noticeable about me is that I love to interact with and collaborate with others. I always enjoy being able to work through problems collaboratively and I am excited to exchange ideas with others, both in rowing and in school. As a student, I am eager to sink my teeth into new material. I’m a very curious person, and I enjoy all of my classes, from sciences to English to math classes. In general, I hold myself to a high standard of academic performance and take rigorous courses. That being said, I do value my “me time,” which I use to recharge my batteries and maintain my mental health. In my free time, I love going out hiking or running, reading, hanging out with my friends (most of them are also rowers), and watching movies (my favorite is The Truman Show). I also love helping others, whether this is volunteering in my community, organizing events with Student Council, or just helping out my friends and family.
My goals for the future...
I would really love to be able to row competitively at the highest level in college so that I can challenge myself to eclipse the goals I have set for myself in high school. I believe that by competing with very strong, experienced athletes, I can become the best version of myself. After college, I would love to continue rowing competitively in a master's program or seek out coaching opportunities. In the future, I would also like to become a physical therapist or physician because I love biomedical sciences and I think I could apply my knowledge as a rower to help younger rowers improve their technique to row more sustainably and prevent injury.
