When Rachel Hester first stepped on campus in the fall of 2022, she knew basically nothing about the sport of rowing.
“I had never touched an oar before,” Hester said. “And now here I am, three years later, just absolutely loving it.”
Three years later, Hester is a pillar of the Pilots rowing program. In the preseason, she was named to the prestigious FSN Watchlist, the only Pilot to be named, and recently rowed on Portland’s first varsity eight, which took the West Coast Conference (WCC) Crew of the Week honor for their wins over Santa Clara and Seattle April 11 and 12.
Hester’s success in the program, however, is something she never predicted.
Hester’s introduction to rowing came in her freshman fall semester when she joined the team’s novice group, which is open to all years and levels of experience. At the time, the group’s instruction and practice was an official class offered, and after seeing signs around campus advertising the course, Hester decided to give it a try.
“It just seemed like such a unique experience,” Hester said. “And I was like, ‘You know what? I'll give it a shot.’ Then I just really loved the girls I was with. I loved the coaches, and I just fell in love with rowing.”
After early morning practice all semester, Hester tried out and made the D1 team. Once added to the roster, she says the sport has been essential to her personal growth.
“[There’s been] so much improvement and growth as an athlete, as a rower and in my mindset,” Hester said. “Also, in my ability to grow, because there's just so much to learn every single day. It's definitely challenging some days, but it’s all worth it.”
Though Hester’s success was a surprise to her, senior rowing team captain and Hester’s housemate, Kate Feustal, says that the team knew her potential from day one.
“I remember the first day she just kind of popped up in practice, and we were like ‘Who is this girl?’” Feustal said. “After a few weeks, our coach came over and was like ‘You guys watch out. People like Rachel are going to start taking your seat,’ because she was doing so well.”
Hester on the water with her teammates. Photo courtesy of Rachel Hester.
Feustal attributes both Hester's success, and in part the team’s success, to her humility and willingness to prioritize the team.
“Rachel is extremely humble,” Feustal said. “[She’s] someone who is not afraid to put her head down and go to work and do what she needs to benefit the greater good of the team. Without people like that, without Rachel, our team wouldn't have made so much progress in the last two years, because she’s willing to go the extra mile to support everyone else around her.”
Hester’s humble attitude is obvious to those around her. When asked about her FSN watchlist mention, she says that she was surprised people were taking notice of her since she tries to keep her accomplishments to herself.
Regardless, Hester says it's been a special opportunity to reflect on her rowing career.
“[It's a bit] surreal. It feels like every day there's still something I can improve on. So looking at where I started from and where I am now, I'm like, ‘OK, it's all worth it, it's all coming together.’”
Maggie Dapp is the Sports Editor at The Beacon. She can be reached at dapp26@up.edu.
