Women's History Month Athlete Highlight 1: Samantha Kelsey

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. 

Samantha Kelsey: 

Name, current club, years rowing

• Samantha Kelsey, been rowing 10 years exactly.  Kinda all over the LA rowing community. 

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

• I came into rowing because of the strong and welcoming community and the opportunity it presented to continue being an athlete after high school. 

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

• Rowing has given me a supportive community and a network of friends through adulthood.

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

• As a coach and an athlete, I am currently inspired by the girls who are documenting what it takes to perform at a high level. Not only the training load, but the nutrition, rest, and mental/emotional commitment, some of my favorites are Sera Moon Busse , Teal Cohen, Kate Knifton, and Etta Carpenter.

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

• Women’s history month means remembering and honoring  the ways that sports impacts our lives. We had to fight to be included, and we all have a responsibility to try and make sports a happy place for the girls around us and after us while we push each other to new limits..    

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

• Rowing is a great reminder that you can always improve even at the simplest things. Rowing is easy– rowing WELL is incredibly hard. People who share a love of the process of becoming better have become my best friends. 

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

• As women have gained more access to sports we have done more research on the long term impacts on physical activity and women’s bodies. Women who have more bone density and muscle mass are protected from so many ailments later in life. Sports are a pathway for women to live healthy long, connected lives.

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

• I am really proud of the endurance work I’ve done rowing. I’ve done a marathon on the erg and in a racing single (42k).  When the Eras Tour Movie came out I got together with friends and did 39k while singing along.     

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

• I hope to inspire women to continue doing sports after college even if international competition isn't your goal.  As an adult, finding community and outlets to improve and grow can be hard. I don’t think graduating should completely stop you from doing something that has given you purpose in the past. It will be a new balance in life from high school or college, but if you can find what works for you it’s worthwhile.

Thank you for being such an inspiration, Sam!