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AN INTERVIEW WITH ANNA BESHLIAN, IVY LEAGUE STUDENT ATHLETE

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During my talk with Anna, she discussed how rowing has impacted nearly every aspect of her life.

Rowing is one of the most taxing sports in existence–not just physically, but mentally as well. When Anna first began rowing during her sophomore year of high school, she learned how difficult the sport was, but she did not turn the sport away like many novices do. The intense nature of the sport was something that she could work towards and allowed her to set physical goals, i.e. an erg time PR, a deadlift PR, as well as mental goals, such as getting through a difficult practice. During her freshman and sophomore year of high school, Anna suffered from depression and issues of self esteem. The difficulty of the sport allowed her to feel in control if her body and mind.

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Anna Beshlian – An Introduction

New York City–Columbia University’s women’s college. Anna rows for Columbia University’s Women’s Crew team and dedicates a significant amount of time to the sport. She first began rowing back in 2013 as a novice rower at Seattle’s Pocock Rowing Center. During her sophomore year of high school, she completed her first year at Pocock and medaled in every race her boat was entered in. The following year as a rookie, Beshlian made the cut for the prestigious Head of the American 5k race, in Sacramento, California, a competition where top junior and collegiate teams compete in a 5,000-meter head race. During the 2014 spring racing season, Beshlian stroked the second varsity 8, leading the boat to the grand final at the San Diego Crew Classic–an untapped feat for Pocock Rowing Center. During the Northwest Youth Rowing Regionals in Vancouver, Washington, Beshlian’s boat came in third, granting them an invitation to Junior Nationals in Sarasota, Florida. As a senior in high school, Beshlian alternated as stroke and 6 seat of the Varsity 8, and stroked the V8 to victory at Head of the Oklahoma. In addition to a high performing athlete, Anna is also a high achieving student. Beshlian was on Lakeside School’s President’s List (achieving a 3.85 GPA or above) all eight semesters during high school. Her high school also boasts famous alumni such as Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and Craig McCaw. Anna now dedicates anywhere from 20-25 hours a week to rowing. That includes on-water practice, running, erging, and lifting weights 6 days a week–on top of 5 classes. This season, as a freshman, Anna stroked Columbia’s second Varsity eight to a bronze medal at the 2017 Clemson Sprints Regatta on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina, edging out Boston College, Drexel University, and Darthmouth.

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Anna, middle top row, after winning bronze.