Olivia Kowalski ’24 Signs NLI with Sacred Heart University

Olivia Kowalski, a senior from Charlton, Massachusetts, signed her National Letter of Intent to row on the crew team at Sacred Heart University on Friday, November 10.

Kowalski has been rowing since her freshman year at Marianapolis and has developed quite a passion for being out on the water.

She says, “I enjoy the feeling of putting in hard work and getting something for it. I love the feeling of crossing the finish line after putting your absolute all into the same motion over and over. I also love the feeling of getting [shouted] at passionately by the coxswain, helping me guide my way through the race.”

“Olivia has been a standout rower from the moment she started,” said Marianapolis Girls’ Crew coach Gwenn Curtis. “She has a natural grace and ability that was evident the first time she put an oar in the water. Although she did not know how to row when she joined the team, Olivia applied the strength, athleticism, and grit she had developed in soccer and basketball, which earned her a spot in the first varsity boat all four springs. Her leadership and positive attitude will be missed, but Sacred Heart will gain a student-athlete who demonstrates all the best aspects of a Marianapolis Golden Knight.”

Kowalski credits a great deal of her success to her incredible coaches. She shares, “I am grateful that I was introduced to the sport and [that they] recommended it. These coaches have worked with me and have given me loads of advice and practice to make me a better rower. They have noticed my accomplishments and given me this amazing opportunity. I want to say thank you so much for everything that they've done for me over these years and for making my life at Marianapolis that much more special.”

In her upcoming rowing career at Sacred Heart University, Kowalski shares that “I'm excited to row not just because it's a sport that I really love, but because the team that I get to be on is filled with amazing student-athletes. Just from going to one practice, I can see how motivated these girls are and how hard they work. To be part of a group like that is just incredible.” 

Sacred Heart University, located in Fairfield, CT, is a Division I school playing in the Northeast Conference and will soon be joining the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in the Fall of 2024.