Alabama Rowing Senior Q&A: Maggie Gillespie
11/30/2017 3:35:00 PM | Rowing
What inspired you to first start rowing?
"The summer before seventh grade, one of my friends from New York had found out about this 'Learn to Row' summer camp. My mom is from New Jersey and I'm from Florida and back then, no one in Florida and really no one in the South knew what rowing was. My friend's mom mentioned something to my mom about the camp. There was something about being in a boat and flying on the water that was really fun. I could never give it up."
What made you choose to come to Alabama?
"I had actually already basically made up my mind that I wanted to go to another school, but I still took my official visit here because I felt bad canceling on short notice. When I got here, I felt a really good sense that I would fit in with the girls on this team. I visited a couple other schools, and I just felt at home at Alabama. All the girls seemed like they got along really well and it felt like one big family. I really wanted to be a part of that."
What were your thoughts competing for the Tide for the first time?
"I had a good sense of wanting to prove myself to the girls around me and to all the upperclassmen that I could be a valuable asset to the team. I wanted to make sure that they could always trust me to be going my hardest right alongside them."
What is your favorite team memory?
"It took me a couple extra weeks to pass my 6K when I came in freshman year, I think it was just nerves to meet standard. Me and another girl on our team, Allie Pospisil, did ours together before practice one day and I just remember that it really helped me a lot. It felt like we were pulling for each other the whole time. [Assistant coaches] Derek and Tabitha [Tuten] were there coaching us along the whole time and a couple other girls were there as well, and I got this overwhelming feeling of support. Everyone on this team wants you to succeed and everyone wants the best for each other. That was the first time I really felt at home here."
What's your funniest team memory?
"Either Sydney [Boles] knocking off the sprinkler at Chattanooga last month or when a senior from last year's team, Jenn Parker, dressed as coach [Larry] Davis and did a hilarious impression of him for our team skits during winter training."
What's on your playlist during workouts?
"I listen to a lot of rap during my workouts because of the strong beats, but the one song that always re-energizes me during a workout is Sail by AWOLNATION. We have a really good remix of it on our team erg playlist too."
What is your favorite place to compete?
"Boston, definitely. I absolutely love Boston. I love the weather, I love the culture up there and how rowing is this high-class, high-intensity sport that a lot of people know about. It's a fantastic atmosphere to experience and race in."
Do you have a favorite life motto that you live by?
"Put everything I have into everything I do. I don't want to do anything half-heartedly; I want to fully commit. I think that the product of whatever work I do represents me. "
What advice would you give to your freshman self if you had the chance?
"Take care of yourself and take time to enjoy things a little more. A lot of times, I would get caught up between rowing and school: needing to be in the best boat I could, having the best grades and studying all the time. There were times I didn't take care of myself well, getting enough sleep and eating enough, so just take the time to enjoy your four years here and not be as worried about the specifics of rowing and grades. Take time to actually enjoy it because I'm amazed how quickly it has all gone by."
What are your plans after graduation?
"I'm looking for a job right now, hopefully in marketing in a big city on the east coast. I'm hoping that coming out with a graduate degree will help a lot with finding a job that I really enjoy."
Any closing comments?
"I just look back and I'm so happy that I decided to come to Alabama. The school has treated me so well and the rowing team has provided me the opportunity to get close with some of the greatest teammates I could ask for and the opportunity to learn a lot in the classroom and accomplish some major academic achievements. I just want to thank everyone that has been a part of this journey with me. Also, I want to thank my parents because they have managed to support me and be there for me just as much from 10 hours away. Very little of what I have achieved and experienced would have been possible without them."
