CODY RISSMAN »» MEN'S ROWING Badgering...
DeKalb, Ill., native Cody Rissman is in his third year with the men's rowing program and has won every race he has competed in this spring. Opening the season against Michigan on Lake Mendota, he raced with the first varsity eight boat as the Badgers swept the Wolverines. Last weekend at the Stanford Invitational, Rissman raced in the second varsity eight that posted wins over California, Oregon State and Stanford.
How did you get into rowing:
"I was a walk on my freshman year and was picked out at SOAR by the coaching staff. I had never rowed before the first practice my freshman year."
What brought you to Wisconsin? "The academics was definitely the primary reason I chose to come to Wisconsin, but I've always like the atmosphere of Madison, it's a great town to go to school in."
What has kept you to continue rowing? "Definitely my teammates. The camaraderie that's involved with being on a team is pretty special. And of course, being a Division I athlete is pretty cool, as well."
What sports did you do in high school? "I ran track and played football for four years at DeKalb High School."
What's your major, and what do you want to do with it? "My major is bacteriology and microbiology, and I want to go to medical school when I graduate from Wisconsin."
20 » VARSITY APRIL 19, 2012
