Athlete Spotlight: Makayla Malandra
Introducing Makayla, a sophomore on the Purdue Women's Rowing Team! Makayla is currently pursuing a degree in Creative and Professional Writing at Purdue, and she has been rowing since middle school. She loves rowing in a 4x and an 8+, and her favorite seat is 4 seat. Makayla recharges after practice with sunny side up eggs, and while she isn't at the boathouse, she loves spending time with her friends. We sat down with Makayla to delve into the world of collegiate rowing, and learn more about her experience with the sport she has grown to love!
Athlete Spotlight: Grace Kennel
Meet Grace Kennel, a sophomore on the rowing team at Purdue. Grace loves 6 seat because she gets to follow, but likes to be in stern four, and she enjoys practicing in a 2-, but racing in a 4+ or 8+. "All I Do Is Win" by DJ Khaled gets her pumped up to row a 2k, and you'll find her eating handfuls of dry cheerios as a post-practice snack on the way home from the lake. Outside of rowing, she enjoys cooking since it is a fun way to destress after practice while also fueling herself. We sat down with Grace to find out what it's like being a student athlete, and what she has learned from the sport of rowing.
Athlete Spotlight: Nikki Hallahan
Meet Nikki Hallahan, a freshman on the rowing team at Purdue University. Nikki started rowing in high school, and hasn't looked back! Her favorite pre-practice snack is a protein shake she makes in her dorm room with protein powder, almond milk, vitamins/supplements, and yogurt. Her favorite seat is bow seat in a 4x, and she is also bisweptual when rowing sweep! Read about how special rowing is to her, what her goals are for the season, and what she recommends to high schoolers considering rowing in college.
