Megunticook Rowing Allum has been making moves in their collegiate rowing programs. 

Maggie Gill graduated in 2023 and moved on to row for Bates College. She finished her year having been awarded freshman rower of the year and was stroke for 1V Eight at the Head of The Charles Regatta in the fall.

Cabot Adams, who graduated in 2023 now rows at Wesleyan University and won the national championship in the Men's 2V Eight.

Alley Johnson rows for Trinity College, graduating in 2021 Johnson finished her year winning fifth at the Royal Henley Regatta in the UK, third in the Head of the Charles, and third at NCAA.

Devin Guptill graduated in 2022 and now rows for UMaine in Orono, he is a huge asset and leader to the team there, motivating people to find joy in the sport.

Collegiate sports are an attraction to many for the communities they host and rowing is no different with each athlete expressing how it's been a huge aspect of their college careers. 

“Going to college and knowing no one was scary, but I almost immediately found a huge network of people that looked out for me,” said Gill.

“You get such a big support system,” said Johnson “It was really nice going into college having instant friends”

At Megunticook Rowing, the athletes reported a similar feeling of finding a home in their team.

“All of my closest friends I found through the sport, and lots of my teammates still feel like family to me,” said Gill. “It was exercise, meditation and community all in a singular sport.”

“I met a bunch of people that I definitely would not have become friends with if it wasn't for rowing,” said Johnson.

As a more niche sport, rowing also encourages high school athletes to reach further academically, Adams noted how the desire to have a good rowing program in college motivated him academically.

“If I wanted to row at a top school I needed the grades to keep up with that,” he said.

The rowers also expressed challenges that they have had to face in college. As a sport known for its intensity, balancing academics and the team can be difficult.

“It takes up so much of your time navigating knowing when to put yourself first and when to put the team first is difficult,” said Jones.

“Staying motivated in the erg room for the long stretches of winter training due to Maine's weather is really challenging,” said Guptill. “It’s a sport that’ll challenge and push you until you feel like you are about to collapse, while simultaneously feeling the most relaxed you’ve ever been.”

Despite this, each athlete stated that it has been worth the effort.

“If you are thinking about doing it, try it, it is hard work but your hard work pays off,” said Johnson.

“Get on the erg, learn how to row, walk onto a college team, try it in high school, try it for a season, try it for four years, it's awesome,” said Adams. 

“It is honestly a life-changing sport, the community you find on rowing teams are so close-knit and welcoming and empowering,” said Gill. “I cannot imagine my life without rowing.”

Megunticook Rowing’s Fall programs for juniors and masters start Sept. 3 and run through mid-October. For more information on programs click here. 

Iselin Bratz, summer coach, started rowing her freshman year of high-school for Megunticook Rowing. After completing her gap year she now attends Emerson College and rows with Riverside Boat Club. She has been coaching at Megunticook rowing for 2022 and is excited to now be coaching full time while she is back from college. Iselin lists rowing as one of her all time biggest passions, stating that it has helped her tremendously with both her physical and mental health. She continues to row when she is not coaching, usually favouring sculling boats and racing in the summer months, As a coach she translates her love for the sport into coaching.