Episode 122: Michelle Sechser Lightweight Double Sculls

Olympian Michelle Sechser is a lightweight rower. At Tokyo 2020 she finished 5th in the lightweight double sculls, an incredibly exciting race where the top five boats were less than one second apart. She has a long list of international and national results including a win in the lightweight double sculls at the 2021 World Rowing Final Olympic Qualification Regatta and a second in the open weight double sculls at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. She’s been a USA National Team rower for nine years.

Michelle was born in San Luis Obispo, California and began rowing at age 14 for Capital Crew after seeing how much her older sister was enjoying the sport. She attended University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a D1 school, on a full ride scholarship. She then earned an MBA at the same school and transitioned into coaching there.  Once out of school, because she wanted to try out for the National Team, she decided to learn how to scull, which is rowing with two oars, as compared to sweep rowing, which is with one oar. Michelle did make the National Team for nine years, but missed making the 2016 Olympic Team and struggled with injury. She and rowing partner Molly Reckford came back strong, made the 2020 Olympic Team, set a world record in their Semi-Final race there, before an excellent, tough final. 

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Michelle on Instagram
Liz Fusco, Director of Sports Nutrition at USRowing
Women’s 30K Mass Start (Free) Olympic Cross Country Ski. Jessie Diggins wins Silver. Jessie came up in a portion of the conversation that is available for Patrons at the $5 level and above. Get your access HERE.