Catching Up with Laura Dunn
4/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Junior Laura Dunn is in her first season as the coxswain for Michigan's first varsity eight. U-M's top boat posted a 4-1 record in the regular season, including victories over Ohio State and Minnesota, which Michigan will see again this weekend (Saturday, May 3) when it hosts the2008 Big Ten Championshipsat Belleville Lake. Dunn's big voice and an unwavering competitive streak packed into her 5-foot-1 frame make her a classic coxswain. Originally from Andover, Mass. -- 24 miles north of Boston -- Dunn is an English major who rarely is at a loss for words.
What is the most important role you fulfill as one of five captains on the Michigan rowing team
We help maximize the performance of our team and minimize any distractions in the way of our goal. We help raise the bar for our team training intensity and set a standard racing mentality. Most importantly we aspire to set goals that the whole team wants to buy into, not because they are told to, but because they really believe they are attainable. When everyone is on the same page, that is when the team will take ownership of its destiny and the captains have executed their role as liaisons.
As the first varsity eight coxswain how do you balance all of the different personalities of your diverse group
I cater to what each crew needs. I channel what they need to prepare for the next race into a theme for each week that all eight rowers can wrap their heads around. If the boat is rebounding from a rough race, then I'll do a 'feel good week' where literally the idea is to just make it feel good. If we're coming off a winning streak, I'll keep us humble while simultaneously corralling the excitement around our success. I love the character in our boat; I implement calls that play into our quirkiness.
Can you explain the art of being a coxswain
A great coxswain knows how to wear many hats by balancing detailed planning with flexibility and adaptability. My position in a crew is akin to a conductor orchestrating a symphony -- harmonizing strokes and tapping into each rower's strengths. I balance being a motivator and a firm leader. In practice I inspire confidence so they trust me to lead them blindly down the course. Any ambiguity in the way a coxswain calls or organizes a race can be distracting to a rower.
What makes University of Michigan rowing unique
We use our teammates' individual successes as inspiration. When programs have as much depth as we do they often lose their sense of unity. It is easy for a rower with a stellar erg score to embody a superstar attitude, and those not in the spotlight can become self-deprecating. Not this team. In the fall we were talented, young and ready to fight. Over the winter we developed our strength and maximized our fitness, and this spring we are honing it. Our team works off of each other's strengths by capitalizing on the theory that "the strength of the wolf is his pack."
What makes you proud to be a Wolverine
By choosing Michigan I chose a premier public university ranked consistently in the top 25 academically. With a rowing program repeatedly in the top 20, diverse academics, clubs for every imaginable interest, the question became not whether the school had it, but how I would find the time to do it. That is where the athletic department goes above and beyond their role, and the new state-of-the-art academic center supports this idea. The athletic department, with its extensive winning record, knows what success feels like and how to attain it, so they supply you with all the necessary tools to do well. Most importantly they have faith in your ability to perform, which is why they set higher standards each year.
What is your relationship like with the coaching staff
It's strong. I have complete faith in their decisions, and I know they have our best interests at heart. (Head coach) Mark (Rothstein), (assistant coaches) Veronika (Platzer) and Carla (Bezold) have all been unbelievably influential on my coxing. Veronika coached me in the (second varsity eight) last year, putting me through coxswain boot camp; my boat management is in great part thanks to her. Carla was my stroke seat for two years; her meticulous training and strong leadership helped me to adjust to (Division I) rowing. Mark is hands down the most effective coach I've ever had. He exposes his human side in a way that is not only admirable but works in his benefit; it is an underestimated quality that all great coaches should have. He has a way of making 5 x 1500m seem exhilarating. When it comes to giving the boat a focus, I work with him, not against, so we are constantly communicating and keeping each other tuned in.
What is your most memorable moment as a Michigan athlete
This past fall I coxed the varsity eight to a third-place finish in the Championship Women's Eight event at Head of the Charles. Taking third behind the U.S. and Canadian National Teams, we inched out reigning NCAA champion Yale, which took fourth. This year's challenge was deciding and owning our destiny. Eager to use the Charles as our stage, we wanted to make a statement about our program's direction. With the help of my stroke seat Lori Gordon, a fellow Boston and Charles River native, we created a race plan that we routinely practiced. It broke down and addressed every dangerous section of the course and gave the rowers tangible landmarks that they could count down on race day. I realized our speed as we executed our plan. I could feel the hunger on the drive and the confidence during the recovery. This was an unyielding group, redefining for our program what can be done when your team is driven by passion, relentlessness and ambition.
What are your pre-race routines
Laugh, breathe, basically I like to keep it light. Racing can be hyped up too much. As a freshman, I thought everything leading up to my race had to run perfectly for me to have a good one. I put too much stress on myself. My style is way more relaxed now. If I've prepared in practice, all I need to do is execute.
What's going through your mind when you're racing
What do I need to do to ensure we win If other crews are moving, I look to counterattack. My intention is to tackle any fears by providing my rowers with all the facts they need so their focus can be completely on applying power to the oar. Amidst the hectic pace of the outside world, I help the crew to internalize. When you have complete tunnel vision and 100 percent commitment, no obstacle is too large to overcome.
Why is rowing your sport If you weren't a rower what sport would you compete in
I am competitive with an incredible amount of composure, but I am willing to take risks in order to put my boat in the best possible position. Can you compete in yoga
Now that school is over, how do you fill your time in between practices What are your extracurricular activities
I love to paint. As the weather warms up, I'll be heading over to Elbel Field or queuing up my iPod for a run.
How do you and the team feel about being active in the community Last year the rowing team won U-M Athletics Community Service Award.
We embody our school motto 'leaders and best' as it pertains to on and off the water. I am a firm believer in giving back to a community that selflessly looks after you. We don't do it for recognition. Ask the girls how many hours they put in to win the award, and I bet an overwhelming majority would say they didn't know it even existed. Philanthropy was another way to bond us.
What is your major and how do you plan on channeling it into real-life experiences
As an English major, I can influence a reader's views through the way I communicate my opinions. Understanding my audience is comparable to knowing market or consumer needs. It is important to note the direct correlation between detailed planning and a successful pitch; in developing a thesis you need to precisely give shapes to your thoughts so that there is a clearly identified purpose of what you're going to sell to your audience. After an internship with FUSE/ideas last summer I discovered my passion for marketing and advertising.
What previous experiences (athletic or non-athletic) have helped you with rowing
Family dinners. My brother is very bright and well read. If I wanted to win a debate I had to articulate my ideas clearly and with a strong voice. I was often wrong, and learned to lose gracefully on the surface, while underneath I was already scheming ways for me to win the next argument.
Who is the craziest/weirdest person on the team and why
Are we not all crazy to pick a sport where you win going backwards and have to wake up for 5:45 a.m. practice Speaking for my boat, in bow Julia Nelson has arguably the wildest fashion, two seat Caitlin Trumble is an Aussie who calls me 'Dunny,' which until recently I thought was endearing but after looking up Australian slang realized the term means toilet (I'm on to you CT). Sitting third from bow is Karen Colwell, to any ordinary human being a definite masochist the way she destroys those erg numbers. Four seat Ashley Kroll and stroke Adrienne Mecham have a competition going to see who is the sassiest (they neglected to realize I'm flying under the radar as the underdog and sure favorite of the challenge). In five seat is Grace "who wants hand sanitizer" Luczak, with Sarah Gribler straight up stylin' in front of her at six seat in fly shades and fresh Nike kicks (maize and blue of course). I can't knock Lori Gordon in seven; she's reppin' Boston with pride. Oh, and special shout out to Kate 'Spaz' Strazalkowski. It's great. I love that rowing creates an environment for them to completely let go and be themselves. These girls aren't crazy, they are role models: healthy, confident, a little nuts, but nonetheless fun girls to be around with strong work ethics.
What adjectives would your teammates use to describe you
Assertive, creative, charismatic, responsive, detail-oriented.
What's something notable about your hometown or home state
Boston consumes more ice cream per capita than any other city. We're a little city with a big ego: we blame a Red Sox losing streak on a curse, shame another country by tossing barrels of tea overboard, and let the Big Dig turn into a BIG catastrophe. We have old-school charm, unsurpassed health care and we have more top tier schools than any other city. In the context of rowing, were home to the world's largest two-day regatta.
What is your life motto
"I am Somebody. I am the greatest. You can't love anybody until you love yourself. It's great to be alive." -- My Father
What is the best vacation you've ever been on
Any of the number of vacations I have taken abroad with my family. My brother and I both went to boarding school, so our time together has been limited. I value all that my parents have sacrificed to provide me with the best education. Most of our conversations during the school year concern academics and rowing, so we look forward to an escape, where we can focus on just having fun.
What is one thing you cannot live without
My voice.
What was your childhood aspiration
A New York City taxi driver, but now that I am a licensed team van driver that will suffice.
Who is your superhero alter ego and why
Superhero, do people really still read comic books I just Wikipedia-ed it and apparently there is one who goes by "Wolverine." Oh, yeah. That's sooo me.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor
When I'm in season, I try to cut out ice cream, but when rowing wraps up on June 1st, I have exactly 10 days to train for Boston's all-you-can-eat Scooper Bowl. I had a weak showing at last year's event. This year I hope to make more of a dent for my team, and in the bowl of anything with chocolate.
What's your favorite book
Any sketchbook. "The Enormous Room" by e.e. cummings.
What TV show can you envision yourself being in
Isn't it obvious America's Next Top Model (children's active-wear edition).
What website do you visit the most
http://www.umich.edu/~saac/SAAC/Home.html. I was put in charge of creating this site (for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) and I dedicated a lot of hours to make it one that student-athletes would be proud to visit.
Whom do you take after more, your mom or your dad
I have my father's personality and my mother's good looks ... I mean ... drive. My mom's passion for business is one that I carry over into the boat; I'm 100 percent a go-getter. My dad has instilled strength and courage in me; he taught me the importance of companionship.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you
For some reason I get a reputation for being intimidating. I'm not.
What are your top three songs that get you hyped
1. "Better Way" - Ben Harper
2. "Young Folks" - Peter Bjorn and John
3. "None Shall Pass" - Aesop Rock
Besides rowing, what are your summer plans
I'll be an account service intern for Carat, an independent media agency. I use my summers as a change of pace. I am a city girl at heart, so I'll spend most my time in Boston with my best friend. My parents and boyfriend keep me level-headed, and I can't wait to be around them too.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
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