Senior Profile Karolina Wadolowska

DURHAM, N.C. -- Recently, GoDuke.com sat down with senior Karolina Wadolowska to learn more about the Cape Coral, Fla., native.

GoDuke.com: What has been your favorite race memory?
Karolina Wadolowska: I'm tied between two. First, I would say my freshman year ACC [Rowing Championship] when my coxswain lost her voice a couple days before the race. Many people don't realize how important the coxswain's role is during a race. They vocalize the race plan, they call the moves, they tell us where we are and where the other boats are and motivate us. I was stroking the boat and decided to wear the microphone for the race. I will never forget the mix of confused and intimidated looks we got from the other boats as we approached the start line. Talking while racing is one of the hardest things I have ever done. By the end, I don't think I was even producing real words, but it was the best race my boat had that season. What makes me so proud is the collective, group effort that went into that race. The other race was at the Clemson Invitational my sophomore year in the four with Rachel Wolsfelt. We entered a very intimidating field but didn't let the competition affect our mindset. We ended up clocking the third fastest time in school history that weekend.

GoDuke.com: What has been your favorite place to compete since you've been at Duke?
KW: I would say our home course at Lake Michie. All of our spring races are away so not many people get to see what we do. In the fall, we scrimmage a few teams on our lake, giving our friends and families an opportunity to come out and cheer us on.

GoDuke.com: What is a road trip memory that you think will stick with you?
KW: Definitely just getting to hang out with my teammates. My teammates are my best friends and there is nothing better than traveling and racing with your best friends. I will definitely miss my teammates the most out of anything after graduation.

GoDuke.com: What is a lesson that rowing has taught you that you will keep with you?
KW: The collective is more important than the individual. You can only accomplish so much by yourself, regardless of how talented or driven you are. Focus your energy on the collective and you will achieve so much, gaining a great support group in the process.

GoDuke.com: What has been your proudest academic achievement at Duke?
KW: Dean's List and being a part of the CAPE program. CAPE is a mentorship program for pre-med female student athletes. I've volunteered in the brain tumor clinic and I also did a six-week internship at the Duke Hospital last summer shadowing doctors across many fields. Being a part of this program has not only reaffirmed my strong desire to go into the medical field, but has also provided me with the support of other female athletes who are also balancing challenging pre-med classes and athletics.

GoDuke.com: What does it meant to you to be able to represent Duke?
KW: There is no greater feeling than having the opportunity to wear a Duke uniform. Wearing Duke blue goes beyond just representing your sport or athletics. It's also representative of all the hard work that you put in off the water in the classroom. It's just a daily reminder that you can be successful in both your sport and as a student. This lesson will definitely carry over to life after Duke.

GoDuke.com: Do you have a pre-meet routine or superstition?
KW: I have a huge sweet tooth and need to have a big dessert the night before a race. A jar of Nutella is usually on the top of my packing list for race weekends. On the way to the race course, I usually listen to pump up music and go over the race in my head. The most important part, though, is getting together with my teammates before we boat out. It has both a soothing and pump-up effect.

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