By Ondine Goedhuis 

As a member of the Winsor Crew Team, I can attest to the demands the sport makes both physically and mentally, but I also know how rewarding it can be. Not many members know these demands and rewards as well as Gabriella Kaluski ʼ25. This past June, Kaluski rowed in the Winsor First Varsity Four at National Championships in Sarasota, Florida, and helped her boat slide into the top 5 in the nation! On top of her work at practice every day, you might frequently spot her lifting in the gym, where she spends much of her free time between classes. 

Kaluski played lacrosse and other sports for many years, but she tried rowing in Class V and found that it stuck with her the most. Kaluski revealed that she uses every one of her frees during the day to work out and complete her training regimen. She explained, “I’m not going to be productive in a free after sitting in class all day, so I save the homework for after school and get my workouts in during the day.” She said that the key is sticking to a routine and figuring out what use of time works best for her, always prioritizing sleeping early so she is well-rested each day. 

When asked what motivates and pushes her as training gets hard, Kaluski described how she finds an incredible amount of fun in the sport and always tries to keep in mind the rewards that await her. She commented that “the highs are really high and the lows can be low too, but you have to shake it off and keep reaching for those highs.” An example of a high for Kaluski was her first Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) during her sophomore year. She loved the “energy on the day” and “seeing so many different people” on the river she was so familiar with. 

Finally, Kaluski shared her thoughts on the Winsor team and a piece of advice for other students interested in crew. She noted that “especially at Winsor, the [rowing] team culture is really bonded—like a big family.” She encouraged every crew member to “keep that team culture alive.” To students considering joining crew for the first time, Kaluski recommended taking on challenges and having fun with the sport over anything else. 

The Banner thanks Kaluski for her compelling perspective on the highs and lows of being a student-athlete, and we look forward to following her future accomplishments in crew!