Alabama Rowing Senior Q&A: Monica McGraw
11/28/2018 11:56:00 AM | Rowing
We’ll be getting to know this year’s senior class with a series of Q&As here on RollTide.com
Now in her fourth year representing the Crimson Tide, Monica McGraw hails from Kansas City, Mo., and is an exercise and sports science major.
What's your favorite memory of rowing for Alabama?
"My favorite memory is from the Lake Natoma Invitational last spring. I was in the 2V8+ and we were up against some of the toughest and top-ranked teams. It was a great experience for us to see competition that would make us fight the entire 2,000 meters. The second day of racing, we went up against Gonzaga, Sacramento State and San Diego. Gonzaga pushed us and held with us for the majority of the race, but when our coxswain, Erin Hayes, called for us to sprint earlier than we planned, I could feel it in the boat that all nine of us were fully willing to give our all to get our bow ball across the line first. Our finishes were so close, but our first-place finish was confirmed when we saw our coach on the shore holding up one finger. The nine of us fought to finish out ahead and it was such an accomplishment to have finished the weekend at Lake Natoma with our hard work paying off."
What's your funniest memory of rowing for Alabama?
"My funniest memory is from the trip to the Knecht Cup in New Jersey my freshman year. The weather was horrible. There was snow, rain, sleet, wind and it was just flat out freezing. The first day, we had to go out on the water twice, and in between being on the course, everyone was trying to dry their gear. Coxswain Claire Estep gathered the novice 8+ boat's socks, jackets, pants and other layers, along with three hotel hair dryers, and attempted to get everyone's layers dry enough so we wouldn't enter the weather with wet clothes. While they weren't completely dry before we had to go back out, watching her try to use hair dryers to dry them out definitely brought our spirits up."
What's your favorite place to visit and why?
"Chattanooga, Tenn., for Head of the Hooch. The city is gorgeous, the food is good and the course is great."
If you were going to be stranded on an island, which teammate(s) would you bring and why?
"I would take Stephanie Parker and Lauren Fehr. They both were Girl Scouts, so they would have some survival techniques, or at least some fun activities to pass the time. Oh, and they also have a good sense of humor. Positive attitudes are key to survival."
If you could compete in an Olympic sport other than rowing, which would it be and why?
"Swimming. I'd be slow, but I love the water and I love swimming."
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