At the University of Washington, student-athletes like Ben Shortt, Kieran Joyce, and Ewan Morrow exemplify the powerful synergy between athletics and academics. Ben Shortt, a member of the UW Rowing Team, finds that the perseverance and work ethic developed through rigorous training translate directly to his studies in economics. "Economics isn’t a simple subject," Ben notes, highlighting how his experience on the water helps him tackle complex academic challenges with resilience.
Kieran Joyce, a coxswain on the team, draws parallels between his role in maximizing crew performance and his academic pursuits. "Studying economics and rowing draw upon similar skills just in different ways. I'm a coxswain, meaning my role consists of maximizing the performance of my crew on the water. I do this through my race strategy, mental tricks, and an abundance of data analysis off of the water. My studies here in the Economics department draw many parallels, notably this past quarter in Econ 485 when comparing uncertainties of outcomes. Understanding Nash Equilibrium and developing strategies based on preferences and given information helped me make key decisions in the final few weeks leading up to my success in winning a National Championship with the university," Kieran explains. This strategic thinking required in both arenas underscores the deep connection between rowing and economics.
For Ewan Morrow, the commitment to both rowing and earning an economics degree reflects his dedication to long-term goals. As part of last year's National Championship-winning team, Ewan believes that his academic journey mirrors his athletic one—both are time-consuming, yet immensely rewarding endeavors.
These students embody the dedication, discipline, and strategic thinking that define both their athletic and academic careers. Their stories are part of a larger tradition of excellence at UW, where many alumni recently competed and earned medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics, continuing to make the university proud on the global stage.