2013-14… Competed with the 1N8+ crew on six occasions… season was highlighted by a first place finish over Tennessee by more than a 24 second margin… also helped the 1N8+ crew finish runner-up (7:18) in the season opener at Clemson, fourth (7:25.90) at the home opener at Lake MacBride, fifth (8:06.60) in day one and fifth (8:14.00) in day two of the Clemson Invitational… placed sixth (7:28.03) at the Big Ten Championship at Eagle Creek Park.
Before Iowa… Member of high school’s track and field team… team MVP as as senior(field)… placed third in shot put and fifth in discus at sections… member of high school’s swim and soccer teams… science quiz bowl member… volunteered with Empty Bowls for Full Bellies… high school coaches were Kim Harrod(swimming), Jennifer Fetig(track), Josh Wolters(track), Dirk Wells(track), and Chris Adams(soccer).
Personal… Born October 3, 1994 in Austin, Texas… daughter of Paul Below and Kathleen Ireland… mother, Kathleen, ran track and cross country at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse… genetics major.
Why Iowa… For their academic programs.
My favorite aspect of rowing is… Getting to be out on the water.
What made you want to become a rower… I wanted to become a rower in order to try something new and challenge myself. I got involved when I was doing my college visit and saw the team was looking for girls to try out.