Alabama Rowing Senior Q&A: Nicole Lane
12/13/2017 4:26:00 PM | Rowing
What inspired you to first start rowing?
"My coach in high school, Coach Elliot. I had no clue what rowing was until I was a sophomore in high school, when he stopped me walking in the hallway during a club fair. He was like, 'you're tall and you look athletic so you should come try rowing.' I didn't think about it at all, honestly. I ended up going to see what a practice was like in the spring and decided it was something I could try. It took me some time to fall in love with it and commit to really pushing myself. He was always encouraging me to push harder than I thought I was able to and to make improvements so I could get recruited. He is the only reason that I know anything about this crazy sport."
What made you choose to come to Alabama?
"When I was getting recruited, I wasn't necessarily at my top speed. I came to Alabama and they were willing to take a chance on me and expected me to get faster, but worked with me to do it without having a guarantee in that. The promise of facilities, the team aspect and everything it has going for it, it's just an awesome program to be a part of. "
What were your thoughts the first time you competed for the Alabama?
"It was at Chattanooga where I had raced before with my high school. I knew what the course was like but I had no clue of the intensity of the division-I level. There were a lot of nerves, wondering if I was going to be able to support the upper-classmen that are in my boat. Are they going to trust me? Am I going to show them that I deserve this seat? I wanted to put on a good race so I could talk to my teammates still in high school and tell them to take advantage of their time in Atlanta because it can allow them to perform well in college, hopefully with me at Alabama."
What's your favorite team memory from your time here so far?
"Winning gold at Head of the Charles in the Club 4+ which assured us a chance to throw our coxswain Emily Navin into the water! The tradition is if you win a race, you throw you coxswain in. That hasn't happened yet, but it's about to be my favorite memory once it happens."
Is there something or someone that inspires and motivates you daily?
"I have a good friend who constantly works with me to be a better person. She's not a rower so I don't necessarily approach her for inspiration about rowing, but she basically talks through every other situation with me. She encourages me in my walk with God and finding balance between everything in my life. Through all of her inspiration, she never says anything that she wouldn't act upon herself. We kind of use each other to become the best version of ourselves."
What's a fun fact about yourself that others may not know about?
"A lot of people don't know I played the piano for 12 years growing up. I like to pick it up when I can but I don't really have much time or a keyboard/piano to use."
Where is your favorite place to compete?
"Definitely Boston. We walk around town and people are like, 'oh, are you guys rowers?', and I'm like 'Yes I'm a rower, thank you for knowing that my sport exists!' Nothing else compares to the atmosphere of being up there and the people cheering you on throughout the entire course."
What advice would you give to your freshman self if you had the chance?
"As a freshman, I wasn't ready to be in the college environment. I was hesitant to go out of my comfort zone, meet people and find new things I would enjoy. Because of that, I'd say don't worry about doing all the little things right and know you're going to make mistakes. Go out, find new things and try them so you know what brings you joy before you leave college."
What are your plans after graduation?
"I'm planning on going to dental school. I've had a couple interviews for that so far, so I'm waiting to hear back and find out what my acceptances will be before I get to make the decision on the next four years of my life."
Players Mentioned
