Sports
Q & A With Pan American Rower Margot Shumway
Shumway is competing in women's single sculls at the 2011 Pan American Games in Mexico.
On Friday, Westlake's Margot Shumway took a break from her pre-game training and fielded questions from Patch by email about her rowing background, the Pan American Games and what she hopes to achieve.
Patch: Tell us a little about your career as a rower.
Shumway: I started rowing at The Ohio State University during my fourth year, then rowed my fifth year. After college, I began sculling with Igor Grinko in Augusta, GA. From there, I moved to Washington, DC to train with Matt Madigan. I have been on and off the senior national team since 2005.
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Patch: What did you need to do to qualify for the 2011 Pan American?
Shumway: I went through a trials selection process very similar to that of the world championship trials selection. There are heats, reps, and a final. Whoever wins the final is selected for the Pan Am Team. I won that final and was selected to represent the U.S. this year in the women's single.
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Patch: What expectations have you set for yourself going into the Pan Am?
Shumway: My goal is to execute my race plan and compete to the best of my abilities.
Patch: What does your workout routine consist of?
Shumway: I row or workout two to three times daily. I row my single once in the morning, sometimes twice, and then lift, run, bike, or erg for my last workout. My diet is pretty typical, I would say. I just eat a lot more and more frequently than the average person.
Patch: Who has coached you, and, as a senior national team member, what experience/knowledge have you passed on to your younger teammates to make them better athletes?
Shumway: My coaches are Matt Madigan and Reilly Dampeer. The head coach of the women's national team is Tom Terhaar. As a senior member of the team, I try to have a calm and positive presence for the younger athletes. It can be very stressful to compete at this level and I find that the team often provides a great solace for that with laughter and joking around.
Patch: Which rowers will be the hardest to beat in the women's single sculls category?
Shumway: At this level of competition, everyone is to be respected. You can never count anyone out and I am expecting a great race from everyone entered.
Patch: What would you like to say to the people in Westlake who will be cheering you on?
Shumway: Thank you.
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