MAXIMILIANO ACOSTA / ASST.  SPORTS EDITOR

Saturday, Oct. 4 from  7:30-10:30 a.m., the USD women’s rowing team hit the waters to bring awareness to all breast cancer patients and survivors in Southern California. 

 The Rowing Cares, a non-profit organization held its 24th fundraising event offered by the  San Diego Crew  Classic  in  the  beautiful  waters of  Mission  Bay. The organization aims  to connect the rowing community of San Diego with cancer patients and survivors. This   bay is  where both   of  our   USD Torero’s rowing teams dedicate numerous hours of training daily.      

   The event exposition was located in North Ski Beach, a large park with open grass areas and a sandy beach around its shores, perfect for spectators and families to come together to cheer and learn more about the initiatives that Rowing Cares has to offer.

  This annual fundraiser transforms lives. Founded in 2001, it has raised close to $4.5 million. Their services include counseling, financial aid and breast cancer patient navigation. 

    The funding has also helped fund cancer research. Rowing Cares first started with the women’s rowing team at the University California of San Diego in 2001, shortly after losing their alumna, Lori Ann Uptegrove, and  family member Joyce Snyder, to breast cancer.

  US Rowing, the national organization that oversees rowing in the United States, reported on how they have been  able to give back. 

   “Every year, we distribute grants to deserving organizations,” U.S. Rowing said. “In 2024, we gave $153,000 to community cancer organizations and survivor rowing programs. These  can  be  ‘Getting Started’ grants for new programs or to support existing programs.”

  This event was more than a competition. It linked people together for a greater cause. Stories were shared and there was a heartfelt acknowledgement expressed for the healing and tributes to cancer survivors, and loved ones. 

  Rowing  combines  physically demanding exercise, emotional support and a calming  connection  to nature, which  has  been proven to be effective in recovery. Rowing builds a space for community and helps reshape what is possible after a cancer diagnosis.

Women’s team rowed at Mission Bay for Rowing Cares. Photo courtesy of  @usdwrowing/Instagram 

 U.S. Rowing wrote on how the sport is therapeutic. 

   “For  many  survivors, joining a rowing team marks their  first return to movement post-treatment, helping lower recurrence risk, reduce stress and rebuild self-esteem,” U.S. Rowing said. “Our members range in age from 30 to 80. Many cancer patients are diagnosed later in life, and rowing is a sport which can easily be learned by those of any age.” 

  USD  alumni Emma McIntyre, a senior during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, was named a  West Coast Conference All-Academic honorable mention. 

         In a statement on the USD Athletics website McIntyre talked about the meaning of being on the rowing team.

  “To me, being a Torero means waking up every day with the intention of becoming a better teammate, student, and member of our inspiring community,” McIntyre said. “With the support of my fantastic coaches and friends.” 

  Various levels of rowers who wanted to enjoy the nice weather and form a community created teams using Regatta Central  to  help carry out Rowing Cares’ mission: “honoring, celebrating, and supporting patients and survivors.”

   USD  first-year and women’s rower, Petra Philips shares her thoughts before the weekend’s one-day event. 

  “Partnering with Rowing Cares means a lot because it connects our sport with supporting breast cancer awareness,” Philips said. “Rowing is all about strength and teamwork, and this event really shows that.”

  USD   first-year   and   women’s team rower Zoe Caldwell is a recruited athlete from New Zealand. She was more than excited before the event. 

“The team’s fired up and ready to hit the race course again,” Caldwell exclaimed. 

  “The energy’s going to be high, the races will be exciting, and it’s all in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

  The 2023 San Diego Crew Classic Cal Cup champions will continue their journey until they officially compete in  the San Diego Fall Classic on Nov. 9. Kate Thurstin, USD’s new head coach, has begun working with the women’s rowing team and standards  have    already   risen. 

  According to the USD women’s  Instagram page, Kate Thurstin has strong beliefs   about   a   team   dynamic.

  “You can’t win a race with one star player,” Thurston said. “You need all nine athletes, all five  athletes  ready to compete at the highest level.   Our Toreros are more than determined to compete and possibly earn a spot as the West  Coast   Conference titlists.”

 Every academic year the women’s team invites athletes from all kinds of experiences to walk-on, and be a part of one of many USD’s high-performing NCAA Division 1 teams. This past weekend Toreros  represented something larger than themselves.

USD opens the season with Rowing Cares. Photo courtesy of  @usdwrowing/Instagram