University of Iowa Athletics

Sofia Bernal

Class So.
Hometown North Wales, Pa.
High School Mount Saint Joseph Academy
Sofia  Bernal - Women's Rowing - University of Iowa Athletics

High School.… Service to the Team Award (Mount St. Joseph), Junior Athlete of the Year Award (Fairmount Rowing Association)…

  • Coxed 2019 Philadelphia City Championship Women’s Lightweight 8+ 2nd
  • Coxed 2019 Philadelphia City Championship Women’s Junior Varsity 4+ 2nd
  • Coxed 2019 Philadelphia City Championship Women’s Junior Varsity 4+ 2nd
  • Coxed 2019 Philadelphia City Championship Women’s Novice 8+ 3rd
  • Coxed 2019 Mid Atlantic Youth Regatta Women’s Lightweight 8+ 1st
  • Coxed 2019 US Rowing Youth Nationals Women’s Lightweight 8+ 5th in the C final
  • Coxed 2019 SRAA Nationals Women’s Lightweight 8+ 1st
  • Coxed 2019 Stotesbury Cup Regatta Women’s Lightweight 8+ 1st
  • Coxed 2018 US Rowing Youth Regional Challenge Women’s U17 8+ 2nd
  • Coxed 2018 Henley Women’s Regatta, lost heat to Marlow by 3 lengths
  • Coxed 2017 SRAA Nationals Women’s Junior Varsity 4+ 2nd
  • Coxed 2017 Stotesbury Cup Regatta Women’s Junior Varsity 4+ 2nd

Personal….. Born July 23, 2002 in New York, New York……Two siblings (Luke and William)…..High School Coaches were Mike McKenna, Joseph Blickley, Molly Konopka……..

Why did you choose to attend the University of Iowa?
“I chose to attend Iowa because of the high success level of the academics and the athletics. The school has an amazing program for my intended job and the team drew me in with how welcoming they are and how hard work they have been to achieve all that they have been able to attain.”

What is your favorite aspect of the sport of rowing?
“I love the competitive atmosphere of rowing and the family aspect that it brings. I love the bond that I can build with teammates.”

What made you want to become a rower? How did you get your start in the sport?
“I got my start in coxing at a learn to row camp in Philly that my parents signed me up for. Originally, I was a rower, but once they realized that I was short enough to cox, I made the transition and I stuck with it.”