Senior Spotlight: Olga Kolodziejska, Rowing
4/7/2020
A four-year member of the Owls, Olga Kolodziejska was part of the 2019 team that captured both the Dad Vail overall and women’s points trophies. A solid part of the Owls’ lineup over the past four years, she has racked up numerous medals in both fours and eights for Temple. As a freshman, started her career racing in both the novice eight and second varsity four boats, including winning Kerr Cup gold (2V4) and Head of the Schuylkill bronze (N8) medals. Kolodziejska won an AAC Championship medal as a sophomore in the second varsity four in 2018, helping the Owls to tie their highest ever team finish. As a junior she scored valuable points for Temple at the Dad Vail with a fourth place finish in the varsity four, she also won gold (Murphy Cup), silver (Knecht Cup), and bronze (Kerr Cup) with that boat throughout the season. Kolodziejska will graduate from the College of Public Health in May, with a degree in kinesiology.
Owlsports.com caught up with Kolodziejska, as she finishes her final semester at Temple.
In the book of your life, what’s the title of the Temple chapter? In the book of my life, the title of the Temple chapter would be "The Power of Perseverance"
What’s the best part about being a member of the crew team at Temple/what will you miss the most? The best part about being a member of the rowing team at Temple is being surrounded by other women striving to be better and to make each other better. What I will miss most is racing with my teammates. I wish I could've raced one more time down the Schuylkill River with them.
What is your favorite memory of being a student-athlete at Temple? My favorite memory of being a student-athlete at Temple is racing at the Women's Sprints for the first time ever. We had never been there before and the boat I was in ended up medaling. We finished 2nd and made history that day as the first ever Temple Women's Rowing boat to medal at the Women's Sprints.
If you could give advice to your freshman year self, what would it be? If I could give advice to my freshman year self, it would be to not beat yourself up over mistakes or failures. You've learned from them and now you can use it as motivation.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years I see myself graduated with my BSN and working at a local hospital near me. I hope to be an advocate for others and to provide the finest health care to anyone that is in need.
I would like to thank my family, especially my Mom for always supporting me and to the coaching staff for always believing in me. Thank you for an amazing four years!Olga Kolodziejska, Temple Rowing Class of 2020
