Senior Sophia Cramer said her journey into rowing began with a simple walk by the lake. 

As a freshman, she watched the team practice and felt an instant pull to the sport. 

“I had no idea what the sport was, how you did it, or how to start,” she said.

Despite the unfamiliarity, she was determined. That summer, Cramer took part in every camp offered for new rowers. When school began, she dove into tryouts, despite not being in peak physical condition.

“It was the hardest thing I had done,” she admits, “but I think that’s what drew me towards it.”

The challenge of the sport, combined with the unmatched feeling of accomplishment after a tough workout, quickly made rowing more than just an activity—it became a passion.

Cramer’s dedication has paid off, as she now prepares to continue her rowing career at The Ohio State University, one of the top ten rowing programs in the country.

Cramer’s training is year-round. She rows starboard, the left side of the boat.

“We practice at Creve Coeur Lake every day of the week (besides Friday) from 4-6 p.m. and on the weekends from 10-12,” she said.

Rowing is a full-year sport with three seasons: fall, winter, and spring.

In the fall, Cramer’s races are 5 kilometers long, and the team focuses on steady-state work, including hour-long sessions at a 150 bpm heart rate. They also mix in longer, harder workouts like 3x3k and 10-12 minute pieces.

“In the winter, we are primarily on the erg (a rowing machine) from after Thanksgiving to the end of February,” she said. 

These workouts test stamina and strength, with the 2k test being crucial for recruitment.

Spring is the main competition season, and practices are back on the water. The team does similar workouts to the winter, but now on the lake. 

“We also do a LOT of seat racing… racing your teammates to see who is faster and whoever is going in the better boat,” said Cramer. 

This competitive aspect helps the team select its fastest lineup, with every athlete striving to perform their best.

Cramer’s dedication is evident not just in her own work ethic, but in the way she inspires those around her. Her teammate, Emma Wilson, is a student at Clayton High School who has been rowing for 5 years. 

“Being next to Sophia makes the tough workouts so much easier. I can count on her to keep going and hold me accountable; I know she’s trying her absolute hardest, so why shouldn’t I?” Wilson said.

Cramer’s commitment doesn’t stop when she finishes her own workout.

“After she finishes each workout, she cheers on people still going, without even taking a second to catch her own breath,” Wilson said.

Cramer’s commitment to rowing is unmatched, as she brings a spirit of determination and joy to every practice, according to her coach, Charnsin Tulyasathien. 

“I don’t remember Sophia having a bad day on the water. Her spirit and determination came through in every practice. Regardless of the outcome of a race or how tough a practice was, you could see how much fun she was having,” he said.

This positive energy and work ethic have not only helped her improve but also inspired those around her, according to Tulyasathien.

“Her curiosity. From day one that I worked with her, she was always constantly asking questions to understand her technique and seeking ways to be more effective and help move the boat faster,” said Tulyasathien. 

Sophia’s influence extends beyond her own performance; she leads by example, setting a high standard for her teammates, according to Wilson.

“Sophia leads by example, showing what it means to really be passionate about the sport. She treats every practice as if it were a race, putting in her best work. She always tries her hardest, even on days when she’s not feeling 100%. Even when injured, she came to practice to be a good teammate and prioritized recovery so that she was able to return as soon as possible,” Wilson said. 

Cramer has accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments during her rowing career. Some notable highlights include:

• U17 8+: Finished first and remained undefeated throughout the regular season.
• U19 4+: Secured first place at the prestigious Head of the Hooch, a major fall regatta.
• U19 8+ 2v: Ranked among the top ten crews in the nation.
• Medaled at every regatta she has participated in.
• Ranked in the top three on the ergometer on her current team.

Cramer expressed her enthusiasm for joining the Ohio State rowing team, emphasizing the unique opportunities and environment the program offers. 

“The Ohio State rowing team is so diverse, with many of the recruits being international,” she said. “The majors range from business to STEM, which is perfect as I want to major in molecular genetics and minor in something business. They are also at the top of the BIG 10s, often getting first at the competition, which qualifies teams for the NCAA, and frequently placing in the top ten at NCAAs.”

Cramer said she is especially drawn to the supportive and inclusive atmosphere among her future teammates. 

“The girls on the team treat each other like family, which is so hard to find on rowing teams because you compete with each other to get into the best boat, creating a lot of tension. At Ohio State, you’re always with athletes and rowers in classes and dorms. I’m so excited to be part of a family and work so hard with people who love what I love,” she said. “I’ve never been more excited for the future than I am now.”

Cramer’s leadership and positive spirit have left an indelible mark on her current team. Teammates and coaches alike expressed what her departure would mean for the program.

“The team will miss Sophia’s fierce determination, skills as an athlete, her aggressiveness during hard workouts, and her positive attitude that she brings to the team,” said Senior Evan Ewing, Cramer’s teammate.

“The team will miss her leadership and enthusiasm that she brings every day to practice,” added Tulyasathien.

Wilson agreed.

“After Sophia graduates, the team will most miss her good spirit. She cheers on every teammate, whether they’re the best on the team or the worst, the most experienced senior or a brand-new eighth grader. She is always trying to self-improve—whether in her rowing performance, her mindset, or as a leader. She exemplifies what it means to be a good rower by doing what is best for her own performance and what is best for the team as a whole. She is such an amazing teammate, and I’m so lucky to be able to call her my friend. Ohio State is unbelievably lucky to have her on their team for the next four years.”