SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Men's rowing junior and Colorado native Connor Gafner (CG) chatted with the Santa Clara Broncos (SCB) about his past summer, leadership role on the team, the rowing season ahead, and staying "crop-fit."
SCB: How did you first get involved with rowing?
CG: One of my roommates freshman year walked on the team in the fall of that year. He simply told me I should join too since I was tall. On one of the first days of that winter quarter, I went to one of the practices and it was grueling and difficult. I was then briefed on the schedule with the early mornings and late evening practices. But I reasoned it would be a great way to stay in shape and something for me to base my schedule around — not to mention the camaraderie among the team. After sticking with it for this long, I think it was a good decision.
SCB: What did you do this summer? How did you stay in shape?
CG: I returned home to my family's ranch outside Boulder. I worked there and gained experience in my major field of physics with individuals working in the high tech business. I also had chances to kick back at times as I needed. I custom built my own quad-copter and worked on certain flight applications with it. I live right up against the Rockies and often go mountain biking and hiking. I also sculled most mornings on a reservoir in Boulder. I do something that is jokingly called 'crop-fit,' which is simply working on the ranch: anything from stacking hay bails to building fences to herding cattle. All this at the mile plus of elevation keeps me in decent shape.
SCB: You're a junior this year. How does your mindset this season differ from the previous seasons?
CG: Being a rower doesn't really change, we still row just as hard and compete for the seats that anyone on the team can end up in. The only way things change is with the detail that I've been through two seasons, and I have more of an intuition for what is going on. This allows me to help the team refine our progression and the ability to work as a crew. My mindset has and will always be on winning.
SCB: You're one of two junior rowers. How has being an upperclassman this year changed your leadership role on the team?
CG: I have experience and understand how to succeed. I can now communicate that for the betterment of the entire team.
SCB: What are you looking forward to most this season?
CG: I simply look forward to getting even faster, even stronger, and winning tanks with the Santa Clara Crew. (In rowing you win the tanks/jerseys of the crews you defeat).
Go Broncos!