Senior Sophia Foad started her rowing journey in the beginning of her junior year, just as a way to stay fit between cross country and track seasons. Most recently, Foad has committed to Division 1 rowing at University of Notre Dame, where she will be double majoring in Biology and Peace Studies on the Pre-Med track.
Foad rows at Y Quad Cities in Moline, Iowa. Headed by voluntary coached and parent volunteers, the team of about 30 rowers engage in many practices a week. Her daily schedule consists of two practices and occasionally, weight training.
“I wake up every day at 4:30am and head out the door for practice. After practice, I quickly drive to home to shower and eat breakfast before leaving for school. After an 8-hour day, I head back to the boathouse for another two hour practice. I usually am in bed close to midnight after finishing all my homework,” Foad explained.
During the fall season, Y Quad Cities athletes race in four regattas, one being the Head of the Charles Regatta. HOCR is the largest regatta in the world and attracts over 10,000 competitors from 28 countries. Foad raced in the Junior Women’s Doubles with her partner Lily Collins and placed 7th out of 55 boats.
Aside from Foad’s training, she involves herself in a rigorous courseload; AP Physics 1, Microbiology, and Calculus are among the numerous classes Foad takes. She also dedicates her time to school activities. As Co-Editor of the yearbook, Foad leads a class of students to create an award-winning yearbook, and as Co-President of Love Your Mother Earth club, she spends time refurbishing PVHS’s green spaces.
Balancing these activities with school work and a harsh training schedule is not easy, but Foad finds and devotes time to each commitment. “If we ever have free time at a regatta, you can find Sophia working on her Calculus homework in between races. Her work ethic is amazing, whether it’s at practice or at school,” Collins commented
As for Foad, she recommends using any available time. “I like to use small pockets of time— even if it’s just ten minutes— to get everything done. In between classes, during 8th period, or right before practice helps me get ahead of the work I need to do in the night.”
Though only rowing for a full year, Foad has competed in US Youth Nationals, Canadian Henley and Midwest Championships. After competing in and placing 7th at Nationals, Sophia decided to pursue rowing in college. For rowers, a big factor in collegiate recruiting is a 2k time. After shaving off her time from 7:40 to 7:28, Foad came into contact with many D1 schools.
“I decided to start reaching out to coaches by email in spring of my junior year. By the time fall came around, I was only in contact with three schools: University of Notre Dame, Duke University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology,” Foad stated.
In between a couple of schools, Foad choose Notre Dame, prioritizing academic rigor and rowing prestige: “I made a decision to go to Notre Dame based on combined factors and how I felt the student body interacted with the school. I also prioritized how much of an impact I would make on the rowing team.”
Less than a four-hour drive from home and her grandfather’s Alma Matter, Notre Dame was the perfect place for Foad to continue her athletic and academic excellence.
