Rowers ready for SIRA Championships, look to qualify for next month’s ACRA finals

As it prepares for this weekend's Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn., Liberty University's rowing team reflects on a 2024-25 season marked by tremendous progress and rapid strides.

"This year has been an excellent year all around," Flames junior rower Gideon Abbott said. "We've had great races in the fall and a great race in the spring, and we are super excited to continue the season."

Senior captain Kimbely Loutzenheiser had never rowed before arriving at Liberty as a freshman and has been amazed by how far the sport has taken her through hard work and sacrifice.

"It really does take a special type of person to row, and to row on this team specifically for Liberty because we wake up at 4 in the morning and we go to practice," she said. "That takes some special discipline, and it just shows the character of people who come to Liberty and can join the team."

Debbie Prowse Liberty Rowing Coach

With strong showings this weekend, Head Coach Debbie Prowse will bring those boats back to Oak Ridge for the May 16-18 American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) Championships. More importantly, the team will continue to strengthen spiritual bonds through the shared experience.

"We have some exceptional leadership on our team," Prowse said. "Our captains and assistant captains really set the tone for our team culture. I love here at Liberty we have (Disciple Makers), who are called out of their hearts to be spiritual leaders for our team, and they lead us in ways that amaze me every day, every time we're here at practice."

"We could just be all about rowing, rowing, rowing, every minute," she added. "But we take the time during our practice because that's an important piece of our team and we want to put that at the forefront."

Loutzenheiser said that is what makes getting up early worthwhile.

"You can see Jesus through all of the things that we do, and when you walk into the erg room every morning, even though people are really tired, we are joyful and we are happy to be there and really excited to get to row together for a greater good," she said.

Abbott said the newcomers on this year's team have meshed well with the returning rowers.

"We've had a lot of really good novices coming in both semesters, and they have been a huge part of the team, a huge part of the Gospel, Christ-focused culture that we have developed," he said. "I would attribute the growth of the program to it (being) a family. We all love each other, we love God. Everything's not perfect all of the time, but we are built on a foundation of working hard, getting up, and giving our best, and it's very easy to have this become your family because you are spending so much time with these people. I am super, super excited for our last couple of regattas, to see how everybody's work pays off, see how the novices do, see how the varsity does."

Prowse said regardless of the results this weekend, the team will make amazing memories in and out of their respective boats.

"I tell them all the time, this rowing thing is just a blip," Prowse added. "It's not really even about the rowing; it's about the relationships. You might not be rowing, but you're going to remember the people many, many years later."

Video by Patrick Strawn/Club Sports Director of Video & Media; edited by Reagan Underwood/Club Sports Video & Media Assistant

Liberty rowing team — Rowers and Prowse huddle in the Cmdr. Marty Bodrog Memorial Boathouse at Mitchell's Point Marina prior to practice on Smith Mountain Lake.

Rowers ready for SIRA Championships, look to qualify for next month’s ACRA finals

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Players Mentioned

Gideon Abbott

Rowers ready for SIRA Championships, look to qualify for next month’s ACRA finals

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Gideon Abbott

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