Izzie Switanek, a standout rower, has officially decided to continue her athletic career at Bates College next fall. During her time here at ETHS, both in club and school teams, Switanek had always considered herself a soccer player, as she had played soccer her whole life. It wasn’t until senior year that she decided it was time to switch things up a little.

The rowing team was incredibly welcoming to Switanek after she reached out to Coach Lou and went to her first winter practice. Being new to rowing didn’t stunt her ability to succeed, as Switanek helped carry the team to winning first for the first time in program history this past weekend in Michigan.

“It was amazing to see everyone’s hard work pay off, both from this year and the three years of the very new program. The coaches have spent so much time helping us and I am forever grateful,” Switanek remarks.

As Switanek expresses her love for the rowing community, she touches on the newfound passion she feels as she looks forward to pushing herself athletically and academically as she moves to university.

“I have also always been an athletic and competitive person and so it seemed like a no-brainer to continue into college,” Switanek says.

Looking forward to the future, there are hopes for the same kind of welcoming atmosphere that she was met with at ETHS.

“One of our promises in team agreements, rightly named ‘Oar Promises,’ says ‘her success is our success,’ and I really hope it will continue into college,” Switanek says.