Joseph Kiely’s Journey From Collegiate Novice to U23 National Team

Joseph Kiely's journey as a rower mirrors the story of the determination of the main characters in "The Boys in the Boat." Kiely walked on to the Notre Dame crew team as a freshman and quickly found success. This past summer, Kiely represented the United States at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, earning a silver medal in the men's eight.

How did you discover rowing?

I was applying to college and deciding between Notre Dame and the Naval Academy and went to Annapolis for a summer seminar. The Naval Academy coach asked if I had ever heard of rowing and if I was interested – that got the wheels turning. I didn't end up there, but at Notre Dame instead, and saw a flier about trying out for the team. I ended up trying out, made the team, and here we are now.

What made you want to try the sport?

I wanted something to do in college to stay fit, but more importantly, to represent my school as something greater than myself. I saw rowing as a good combination of those, as well as the competitive nature of the sport. It's unlike anything I had in high school. I have really been enjoying that.

What were the first few weeks like, starting rowing?

It was different and frustrating at times. Having never touched an oar in my life – then being in a boat two hours a day and trying to get the technique down, the feel down, and searching for what the perfect stroke feels like. It took quite a long time. It was a process. At the end of the semester, all the novices in the eight were finally able to string together some good pieces. It was a rewarding experience.

What was your journey to the U23 team like?

That was a lot of uncertainty and hoping, in a good way. I ended up doing pretty well on a 2k and went sub six minutes. The year before I had gotten in the low six minutes. I could put the U23 team in the realm of possibility and getting the sub six time was what pushed me to commit to this. I started working even more with my coach to try to look at film, get better technique, and overall just get fitter and do extra work on the side. I ended up submitting the questionnaire the U23 team had for prospective athletes. I got a call back from John Graves saying that I was one of the potential guys they were looking at.

What has been your favorite moment in rowing so far?

I would say either racing in Bulgaria or winning the Head of the Charles collegiate four two seasons ago. Both of those were very rewarding. Plus, the whole U23 selection process in general was a lot of seat racing, hard work, and hurt. Being able to be a part of that process and ending up making it and being able to represent my nation meant a lot to me personally.

How do you feel rowing has changed you?

From a physical standpoint, I am the most fit I have ever been, both the strongest and endurance-wise. But from a more personal perspective, it's a hard sport. There are a lot of difficulties. It taught me more tenacity to deal with problems outside of the sport -- knowing that things aren't going to be easy. There are pieces when you go out and you wonder if you went out too hard or if you didn't go out hard enough. There is going to be that uncertainty and that is the same with life outside of rowing as well. I learned to put my head down and keep working despite the circumstances.

What long-term goals do you have for rowing?

Hopefully, if I can, I want to make the senior team. I will be in the Navy until 2030. I am hoping to be able to train in and out of deployment cycles if they let me. That is a bit of an uncertainty going forward, but I think it will all end up working well.

What do you think makes a great rower?

Probably, more than anything, work ethic and a positive attitude. We have had guys who are not the biggest guys or strongest guys, but they had that passion, the work ethic, and the animal instinct to just put their best on the line anytime that they could. They would end up beating other guys who had the physical potential to do well. As evidenced by walk-ons as late as college being able to do well, it is a sport where if you have the right mindset and you've got a bit of the physical ability you can succeed.