University of Washington freshman Elise Beuke and her Husky teammates made quite a splash this year, culminating in a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Division I rowing championships on May 29 in Gold River, Calif.
Beuke, a 2015 Sequim High graduate, was part of the Second Varsity Eight crew that took third place behind overall NCAA champion California and Ohio State.
“As a team we were hoping for more,” Beuke said. “I really believe everyone in every boat gave everything they had in the championship. Obviously, everyone wants first. Fifth and third was our 100 percent and you’ve got to be happy with it.”
UW’s varsity four earned a silver medal and the Huskies’ varsity eight took eighth.
Washington has never finished outside of the top 10 in the 20 years of NCAA rowing championships.
California won the team championship with 129 points while Ohio State (126), Virginia (112) and Stanford (107) finished second through fourth, with UW fifth (106).
“I’m really proud of the team as a whole,” UW interim head coach Conor Bullis said. “(The second varsity had) an amazing race.”
The Huskies entered the second varsity eight grand final in lane three, with Ohio State (lane 2) and California (lane 1) inside of them. Cal grabbed the very early lead, with the Huskies close behind and the other four crews trailing. The Huskies stayed in within a couple of seats of the Bears by 500 meters and then continued to move up on the lead. Nearing 1,000 meters, the two Pac-12 boats had moved ahead of the rest and Washington took the lead at the midway point as Ohio State came on from its third-place position. The Huskies increased its lead early in the second 1,000, but as they came down the stretch, Cal again found more and passed the UW with about 250 meters to go, holding on for another win (6:28.064). Ohio State (6:28.900) also charged at the end, passing the Huskies to take the silver medal. Washington (6:30.551) took the bronze.
First year
Beuke said her first year of college studying art and competing in rowing was an awesome experience.
“What I enjoyed most was being on such a large team and meeting these super amazing athletes who I became close with,” she said.
Through the year she’d get to know teammates on a deeper level from other countries or states and she appreciated being among peers who knew and practiced the same regime.
“Like for fun, it sounds so ‘cliché-athlete’ but we’d go lift weights or go hiking or watch rowing videos,” she said.
Beuke rows in the third position. Her UW Second Varsity Eight teammates include cox Phoebe Marks-Nicholes, Seattle; stroke Marlee Blue, Seattle; Anna Thornton, Nottingham, U.K.; Natasha Gay, Perth, Australia; Courtney Thompson, University Place; Brooke Pierson, Oak Harbor; Bella Chilczuk, Renton; and Valerie Vogt, Trout Lake, in bow position.
“Dealing and communicating with eight people is intense,” Beuke said.
“I’ve been on volleyball and basketball teams so that’s up to six people tops, so we have even more personalities (in rowing), but our boat really made it a big goal to have a lot of fun and sell your soul on every piece and go out super hard.”
Rowing helped Beuke overcome doubt at certain points, too.
“So many times this year I went to practice and thought there’s no way I can do that, but my coach thinks I can do that,” she said. “Then you sit in the boat and do it. What I love most about rowing is that you can prove to yourself you can do a lot more than you think you can.”
Despite the strong performance at the championships, Beuke believes she can do better and wants to work toward it.
“I think the best feeling in the world is working really, really hard for something and getting it … pouring your blood, sweat and tears and performing and achieving it,” she said.
Beuke also likes the competition.
“In rowing, there’s always someone better than you,” she said. “If there isn’t someone better than you, there is a time to beat and a reason to always better yourself. And there’s always people coming up and trying to pass you and people above you who are getting better.”
Before returning to school and the team in the fall, Beuke plans to train on her own this summer, opting not to participate with the U.S. National team, and help the Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association in different capacities.
