???To the common fan, mental toughness does not seem to be an important part of rowing. The sport comes off as one in which strong muscles are the most important aspect of success.
???Sophomore Sasha Bailey of the rowing team realizes the importance of the mental aspect of a sport that seems to only feature brawn.
???"I have seen the biggest motivation and mental strength in rowers unlike anyone else I have met," Bailey said. "You cannot fear what is in front of you; you have to embrace it and do your best to positively get through it. Your body cannot be the only thing getting you through the day. You have to be able to fight through the pain and push through limits you never believed you could."
???Bailey's mental fortitude has increased ever since she started rowing. Her perseverance to push past tough obstacles allows Bailey to get through even the toughest of challenges.
???"Personally, every year I break through a wall that I never thought I could get through," she said. "Before rowing, I never had the internal motivation and heart that I have now. It has taught me never to give up on anything and to always push through, even when life seems like it cannot get much worse."
???Bailey's love for the demanding sport sparked from her cousin, who was a rower for Boston University when Bailey was a sophomore at Orchard Park High School. After trying it out, the sport eventually grew on her.
???"My cousin told me that with my body type I could be a good rower," Bailey said. "It seemed very different and not at all like the sports that I was participating in. I wanted something new in my life and so I figured I would give it a shot. At the time, I never thought that it would be such a significant part of my life."
???But rowing became Bailey's prime focus after competing throughout high school. After a successful tenure in Orchard Park, Cincinnati, Syracuse and Buffalo all attempted to recruit Bailey. Buffalo's proximity to her hometown was the determining factor in her decision where to row.
???"I loved the size of [Buffalo], the variety of courses I could take and the team that I would be joining, including the coaches, but a major factor was that I am only 30 minutes from my home," Bailey said. "At first this fact seemed frightening, but in the long run I have loved being home in Buffalo and representing my hometown as an athlete at UB."
???Ever since arriving in Buffalo, Bailey has taken it upon herself to improve the rowing program. Through hard work and dedication, she plans on improving her individual and team performances during her remaining time at Buffalo.
???"My job as a heavyweight rower is to be the best I can be," she said. "I am constantly working on becoming better on and off the water. I would say my overall job is to stay consistent, always keep learning as much as I can and [keep] myself motivated in order to do the best that I can do."
???Being so focused on the sport she loves makes it difficult for her as an exercise science major, to dedicate time to schoolwork.
???"Spending hours a day practicing and working out makes it harder to manage your work," Bailey said. "I have to create a schedule for myself ahead of time so I do not forget assignments and I get my work done on time... You have to be strong mentally, you have to be diligent, and you have to realize that all the work put in now is worth the outcome."
???The toughness Bailey has gained in rowing has improved her overall devotion. She plans to tackle both her educational and rowing careers with willpower that will hopefully leave her in a successful position.
