Q & A With Augusta Stratos

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Augusta Stratos is a junior on the ninth-ranked Virginia rowing team. The Cavaliers were crowned ACC Champions for the ninth-straight time earlier this season and are preparing for NCAA South/Central Regionals May 17-18 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Question: The team has two weeks without competition after your last races against Yale and Harvard. How are you preparing for South/Central Regionals?
Augusta Stratos: Coming back from the races in Connecticut we knew we had some things to work on and things that could be improved. But, we had a good mindset coming into this week of practice. Also having final exams this week, it’s a little hectic and stressful but we’ve been doing a good job of focusing on rowing when we are out on the water. This coming week we’ll start doing two-a-day practices because exams will be over so we can really focus on South/Centrals.

Question: Last year the program had unprecedented success at regionals, winning every heat of every race. Is that going to be hard to top?
Stratos: I think we have a really great chance of doing that exact same thing this year. The way that our boats are moving right now is really strong. We know there is a tough competition out there, which is making us work harder to prepare.

Question: What are your goals for the rest of this season?
Stratos: Definitely to win NCAAs. I think that is everyone’s goal after coming so close last year. Everyone on this team wants a championship.

Question: What has been your most memorable road trip?
Stratos: I’d say going to California earlier this season. Last year was my first time going to California ever and this was my second. You’re kind of out of your element because of the time change and everything, but it’s fun to be on the west coast for a change.

Question: What is your proudest athletic moment?
Stratos: When we won our ninth-straight ACC Championship this year, that was a really proud moment because no team at UVa had ever done it before.

Question: What is the best part about rowing at Virginia?
Stratos: The team and the girls. We keep each other going with all our different personalities.

Question: What is your favorite Coach Sauer quote?
Stratos: “Let’s build a cathedral.” That’s the name of our boat right now, we just named it. It’s kind of our motto this year, instead of building a wall we’re building a cathedral because we want to be bigger and better.

Question: What is your first rowing memory and how did you get into the sport?
Stratos: I was a walk-on my first year so I had no rowing experience. Being on the ergo meter during tryouts and not knowing how to do anything was kind of scary.

Question: Who or what inspires you?
Stratos: My teammates because they are all so driven.