In the fall of 2022, Lily Chavaree joined our St. Ignatius women's rowing team through the freshman Learn to Row program. Like many who come to the lake for the first time, Lily was curious about trying something new. Though she had dabbled in various sports, she wasn’t coming from a specialized background like club swimming or basketball. Instead, she brought with her a warm personality, a sharp sense of humor, and a strong desire to be part of our team.
Lily's journey in rowing has been nothing short of remarkable. As a freshman, she was one of just two first-year athletes promoted to the Varsity lightweight category to race at the SRAA High School Nationals in New Jersey, where they impressively placed 5th. By her sophomore year, Lily had grown both in strength and skill, earning a spot on the Second Varsity 8+ for SRAA High School Championships in NJ and serving as the stroke of the U17 8+ whose podium finish qualified for US Rowing Club Nationals in Florida.
Last summer, Lily chose to push her limits even further, surpassing the 2k erg standard and earning a place at Ready Set Row (RSR) training and racing camp. After a month of intense training with RSR, Lily raced at summer Club Nationals, where she stroked a U17 4+ to 6th place finish and earned a silver in the U17 8+.
Now, as a junior, Lily embodies the grit and determination that define our team. She’s back, stronger than ever, ready to lead and inspire her teammates—especially the freshmen who may see a bit of themselves in her story. Her journey is a testament to what can be achieved with dedication and hard work.
For those interested in learning more about what Ready Set Row has to offer, I highly encourage you to visit their website. Holly Austin, the head coach and founder of Ready Set Row, hosts these ideal month-long summer training and racing camps, virtual clinics, and other offerings during the year. Her focus on developing mental resilience in harmony with training makes it an ideal complement to the values we uphold at St. Ignatius. If this sounds like an experience that interests your athlete, please contact me directly. Please note that RSR has specific erg standards so that some advance planning will be necessary.
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