Competing for the United States National Team has been a goal for Florida Tech’s Alex Coultrup since Oct. 2014. (FIT Image)
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Competing for the United States National Team has been a goal for Florida Tech’s Alex Coultrup since Oct. 2014.
That goal will become a reality on Thursday as the rising senior and her women’s lightweight quadruple scull race their heat at the Under-23 World Rowing Championships at 4:20 a.m. ET/11:20 a.m. local time in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Coultrup will row in the bow seat with Michigan State’s Olivia Jamrog in the two-seat, Wisconsin’s Gabriela Purman in the three-seat and Cal’s Bridget Konttinen at stroke. They will line up alongside Great Britain, France and Austria.
The top two crews from the heat will move on to the ‘A’ Final and the bottom two will race Friday in the repechage.
Alexandra Coultrup
“I think this entire summer has allowed me to grow a good deal as a person and as an athlete,” Coultrup said.
“That’s the beauty of sport. I’m really grateful to the rowing community and all the opportunities I’ve had up until now that allowed me to get here.”
For the last six weeks, Coultrup and her crew have prepared for the World Rowing Championships by training at the GMS Rowing Center in New Milford, Connecticut. She said she learned a lot from the experience, from the rowing culture and she gained new perspectives from talking with successful athletes.
“I feel lucky that they wanted to share their experiences with me,” she said.
“I feel the same shower of happiness over and over again every time I put on my uniform or get in the boat. My boatmates and I have been through so much this summer, and I am so confident that we will continue to consistently perform to our potential.”
“My hope is that we can represent our country well at every opportunity and keep learning how to be better athletes along the way,” said Coultrup.
Live results of the race will be available at WorldRowing.com
Coultrup’s crew is still fundraising for their trip to cover flights to and from Europe, housing and meals while abroad, boat and oar rentals on location, coaching and regatta fees.
Their goal is to raise $17,000 or $4,250 per rower.
