Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/977154
159 R owing is a challenging sport that requires a significant amount of time and practice. For University of Iowa rowers Logan Jones, Hunter Koenigsfeld, Alexis Chamness, and Katie Becker, the challenge is even greater as nursing students. "It is a lot of time management," said Jones. "I am constantly running from clinical to practice, so I have to squeeze in homework and studying for tests. I study on the bus from races to home." Chamness credits the University of Iowa — whether it be the athletic department, rowing coaches, or nursing program — with making the balancing act manageable. "ere are some class conflicts that come up, but the coaches are supportive and understanding with making it all work out," said Chamness. "e professors also help reschedule when you have to miss class because of travel. It all works out as long as you communicate with everyone. Also, there are tutors within the athletic department, along with Nursing Supplemental Instruction, that both help a ton." Along with the resources the University of Iowa provides, it helps to have a group of girls who are all going through the same thing. ey help each other and pick each other up, empathizing with what their peers are going through. For freshman Katie Becker, that has made a difference. "It is nice to see the upperclassmen excel at balancing their duties as a rower and as a nursing student," Becker said. "It shows that I can do it. It is possible. If she can do it, I can definitely do it. I just have to set my mind to it and I can achieve it." A member of Iowa's I Varsity Eight crew, Koenigsfeld was not admitted directly into the nursing program. She is going through the process of competitive admission, having just submitted her application. Even though she knows the challenges rowing and nursing will present, she is confident she can do both. "A lot of people will tell you that it is going to be hard and it is going to be difficult, but I would argue that if you are not doing something hard and difficult, then maybe you should challenge yourself a little bit more," said Koenigsfeld. "It is manageable. I would not be scared by it. You just take it day-by- day." No matter what challenges arise, doing rowing and nursing is a rewarding experience. "It is doable to be a rower and a nursing student," said Jones. "Rowing and nursing teach you good life skills. It teaches you how to be a leader, how to be responsible, and how to work well on a team. ey complement each other." e No. 11 University of Iowa women's rowing team travels to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championships on May 13. MAY SCHEDULE May 13 at Big Ten Championships Indianapolis May 25-27 at NCAA Championships Sarasota, Florida