May Madness Spotlight: TriStar Rowing

The 2024 Youth Series is in it's second week of competition with the 2024 USRowing Mid-Atlantic Youth Championships, 2024 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships and the 2024 New York State Scholastic Rowing Championships. Each week, we'll highlight crews on their road to the 2024 USRowing Youth National Championships.

This week, we talked to Olivia Yeager from TriStar Rowing who will be competeing at the 2024 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships.

Tell us a little about yourself/the club you row for.

I am in my senior year, and I am committed to row for the University of Tennessee next year. My team, TriStar Rowing, is a nonprofit that's a little over five years old. Majority of our coaching staff is either TriStar or Tennessee Rowing alumni.

How did you get started with rowing?

My rowing career started over five years ago when I attended TriStar's learn-to-row camp and fell in love with the sport. I have been rowing ever since.

What do you like most about rowing?

One of my favorite parts about rowing is the fact that you can always be improving. There's always another PR in you, a tweak to your catch, more drive in the stroke.

What are your favorite 2k songs?

The best songs to 2K test to, by far, are CARNIVAL by Kanye West, DNA. by Kendrick Lamar, and Bonfire by Childish Gambino.

What are your favorite traditions or rituals that are unique to your team?

Something cool that we do is Olympian Lindsay Shoop's warm up before practices and races. Every February, we hold our Captain's Cup, where us captains draft our teammates and create a training plan for two weeks, with racing on the last day. We have a motto of "Into The Storm" which means that we will face all our challenges head on.

How do you welcome and embrace new members to your team?

We love new people on our team, so they always have a very enthusiastic welcome. Us captains like to introduce ourselves as a friend and resource, and we make sure that new people are familiarized with teammates who are similar in age or skill level.

How has your preparation been leading up to the 2024 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships?

Our coaches have been executing a great training plan for us on and off the water, but there are also a lot more commitments on a boat to boat basis. My boat is committed to upping our hydration and electrolyte intake, doing daily core, and erging.

What are the club/team goals for the 2024 regatta season?

One goal is to bring more than seven boats to nationals, which is the most we've brought in TriStar history. We've also committed to 'leveling up' this season in everything we do, on and off the water. We also have our eyes on some specific competitors this season.