Women's History Month Athlete Highlight 3: Haley Uliasz

Happy Women's History Month from JL Racing! This blog features three female rowers and discusses their rowing experiences & what Women's History Month means to them. Happy Rowing! 

We have interviewed Sam Kelsey, Haley Uliasz, and Mary Bain; 3 female rowers who have made a big impact in the rowing world! Read below to learn about their rowing journeys. 

Haley Uliasz: 

Name, current club, years rowing

• Haley Uliasz, George School Rowing Coach, 11 years (I still train and row independently)

Can you share a bit about your journey into rowing and what inspired you to pursue this sport?

• I began rowing during my freshman year at Kent School, initially viewing it simply as a way to stay in shape for ice hockey. However, after my sister—a rower at Taft—encouraged me to try it for the competitive edge, my perspective shifted. I never expected to fall in love with the sport, but the unique team culture at Kent and the intensity of the competitive atmosphere quickly made rowing into a passion.

How has rowing impacted your life, both on and off the water?

• Rowing has fundamentally redefined how I approach challenges. During my freshman year at the Division I level, I faced a hard reality: for the first time, I wasn’t the 'top dog.' Stuck on land and struggling to keep pace, I reached a crossroads. I had to choose between elevating my work ethic or giving up entirely. I chose to push. That climb from the bottom taught me that success isn't about where you start; it’s about the commitment to the ascent. Now, I frame every obstacle in my life with that same certainty—if I am willing to do the work, I can bridge any gap.

Who are some female athletes that have inspired you throughout your career?

• My sisters—one played DI ice hockey at the University of Wisconsin and the US National team, and the other played DI at the University of Connecticut—are my greatest inspirations and my athletic blueprints. We were raised by a father who coached us with unrelenting expectations, pushing us exponentially harder than our peers. My sisters are the only people who truly understand the grit required to succeed under that kind of pressure. Their journeys taught me that while the path is difficult, the result of staying committed is worth every second of the struggle.

In your opinion, what does Women's History Month mean to you as an athlete?

• To me, Women’s History Month is a call to action. It’s about shining a light on women’s sports that remain undervalued and under viewed despite the elite level of play. As an athlete, I see it as a time to bridge the gap between the effort we put in and the recognition we receive, ensuring the next generation doesn't have to fight quite as hard for the spotlight.

How do you think sports like rowing empower women and contribute to gender equality?

• In rowing, the elements are the great equalizer. I coach a coed team that trains together daily, proving that there is no difference in the capacity for physical and mental toughness. From the 2k tests to the blisters, they endure the same grind and offer the same level of support. It’s a powerful reminder that elite work ethic looks the same on everyone.

Have you faced any challenges as a female athlete, and how did you overcome them?

• Playing AAA boys' hockey meant navigating a world where being a 'skilled girl' made me a target for both hits on the ice and bias in the front office. I’ve been wrongfully cut and unfairly targeted, but those experiences taught me the power of a quiet, relentless work ethic. I learned that the only way to overcome systemic disparity is to stay the course and remain unshakeable. That mindset—tucking my ponytail into my helmet and doing the work regardless of the noise—is the same one I bring to rowing and the same one I instill in the athletes I coach today.

Can you share a memorable moment or achievement in your rowing career that you're particularly proud of?

• I’ve had the privilege of being part of two program-defining moments. First, racing at the Henley Royal Regatta after my senior year—a historic first for our team and a personal milestone that I’ll never forget. Second, returning to the rowing team after a season of Syracuse ice hockey to help clinch our first-ever ACC Championship.

As a part of Team JL and the rowing community, how do you hope to inspire other women?

• I think JL and my platform on Tiktok give me the opportunity to do things like this interview and share my background further, and I use these platforms to share the side of sports that isn't a highlight reel. I wasn't the tallest or strongest naturally, so I had to be the hardest worker. I talk about the 'land squad' days and the climb up because athletes need to see that vulnerability is part of the process. Your output matters more than your starting point.

Thanks for being such an inspiration, Haley!