Madison Dutra '17
Santa Clara Broncos (SCB) got a chance to sit down with freshman Everett Peters (EP) of the men's rowing team and talk to him about his transition to collegiate athletics as well as his goals for the future.
SCB: What initially drew you to become a Bronco?
EP: At first I wasn't too sure about coming to college on the west coast. I was looking out east, but I decided to visit the team while I was a senior in high school. It only took one or two hours to instantly change my mind. The total atmosphere, like the team, the entire student body, the teachers, the gorgeous campus, everything sort of felt just right. I guess you can say I fell in love with everything about Santa Clara. I don't know if there's a more explicit reason personally, but after visiting Santa Clara, all I wanted was to be a Bronco.
SCB: How has the transition been between high school and now rowing at a collegiate level?
EP: It's a little more complicated than just saying college rowing is harder than high school, although I can say it is extremely different. Coming from Chicago, we would hope to start rowing on our frozen water by mid March at best. Until then our workouts were extremely different. We would do much more vigorous land workouts as well as heavy lifting, and so winter training was not very enjoyable, but we did get stronger. That being said, now that I am rowing year round on a reservoir, the workouts are more mentally challenging. I've never rowed so many meters in one day, and this is all before most of my pals are even awake. Aside from workouts, the transition has been rather easy since the team is such a tight knit group of guys. Whatever challenges we face, we go through it together and it helps in infinite ways.
SCB: Was there any sort of freshman initiation process you are allowed to share with us?
EP: Well there isn't too much secrecy behind men's rowing at Santa Clara. Honestly, being a freshman on the team is not very different than being a sophomore or even a senior, and so there isn't a big feeling of initiation. A big majority of us have rowed for four years already, and so we have just as much experience racing as the upperclassmen. Our biggest initiation process you could argue would be forgetting where we used to row, and realizing we are part of a new generation of Bronco rowers. Six out of the eight rowers in our top boat are freshmen, and we are still winning races. To conclude, there really is no initiation process.
SCB: What were some of your goals coming into your freshman season?
EP: I always gave myself high expectations, but at the same time I never underestimated any of the other rowers. Unfortunately, a big aspect about rowing is not only about beating boats one on one, but at times, you have to race your best friend one on one to make the boat you want. Considering what boat I wanted to make, the freshman 8 was my goal. With so many promising recruits, our boat is set to go where Santa Clara has not gone in a very long time. Considering what I want for my team, winning WIRA's, or our championships, should not be too hard of a challenge at all, and it is definitely within our reach.
SCB: What are you most looking forward to as your time as a Bronco?
EP: Ultimately, by the time I'm a senior, I hope to see this program transform from a fairly good one into a rowing powerhouse. We have had such a promising year that becoming nationally ranked would be my ultimate goal. But as a Bronco, I'd like to see this dream come true throughout every sport. National recognition through more than one or two sports can really bring a school closer together through team spirit, and plus winning national championships is so "Go Broncos!"
