10 Questions With ... Anastasia Dimitropoulos

Our second installment of "10 Questions With" features coxswain Anastasia Dimitropoulos. In this interview, we talk about the duties and responsibilities of a coxswain and what goes into preparing for every race.

1. For those not all that familiar with the sport, tell us about the role of the coxswain? What are your biggest primary duties when you're on the boat during a race?

"When we are at practice, I guess I'm more of the leader and I try and set the example. It's important to be on time and do the right things so the guys will follow along. I have to hold my ground so the guys don't push me around. When we are in the water, it's the coxswain's job to coach the guys and run through the drills. During a race, it's a more serious environment and I try and lead them through each section. I'll keep them in the loop and stay on top of them in case they begin to slow down a bit. Yes, I'm a girl, but you don't mess around. I'm not the one who makes the jokes out there. I try and keep in serious or the guys will roll all over you."

2. How did you become a coxswain? Did you play other sports growing up?? Tell us your journey from growing up to becoming a coxswain for OCC?

"I started to row in the eighth grade because my mom basically forced me to. She thought it would be great for college and at the time I was really into soccer, so I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. But once I started, I really loved it. I began at Long Beach Junior Crew and at Sea Base (Newport Sea Base Rowing Club) before coming to OCC. Here, it's amazing … you get to compete against some of the top four-year schools and I just love being in the boat."

3. Take me through a typical race … what are some factors you have to think about to make sure your guys are racing at their absolute best?

"Prepping for each race, we have team dinners and everyone knows what is going to happen and how it's going to be implemented. When we go into the race, we do a nice, long warmup before the start. When the race starts, we want to be very quick and very controlled. If you take off and you have a bad rhythm, you're in bad shape. After a fast 500 meters, we shift into a base pace and in the second 500, you try and either stay in that pace or you go into a 'power-10' which is 10 all-out strokes in a row. I'm also prepping them for their third 500 during that middle part of the race. In the final 500, you bring up the rate again, pushing all the way through to the end. My goal is to make sure I don't steer wrong or make the wrong call at the wrong time. That's the last thing I want to do."

4. Do the strategies change from race to race or is there a basic game plan that you stick to for your guys to perform well? When do you know when to turn up the intensity vs. just maintaining a strong pace??

"The game plan is usually the same but variables like weather, or a tailwind or headwind can factor into the plans changing a bit. Maybe you're in a bad lane, where the water is bad … or, during a race, something just happens and the boys are looking to you for the adjustments."

5. I know most of last year was cut short due to COVID, but what is the feeling like of leading your boat down a 2,000-meter race and that feeling when you cross the finish line as a top boat? Oh … and when you get tossed into the water, how enjoyable IS that, really?

"For me, I know what it feels like to barely lose and then, you pass off your jersey to the other team so you don't want to act super cocky or anything. As far as getting thrown into the water, it just depends on the race. It's a tradition and part of being a coxswain. We are all definitely looking forward to race in the races we didn't get a chance to compete in last year."

6. If I gave you a 24-hour pass from COVID and you could do anything that you used to do, what would it be?? What do you miss the most from this isolation??

"I definitely would want to go to practice at 6 a.m. I just want to get my life back to normal. I didn't realize how much I loved my life before all this happened. I'm looking forward to just seeing everyone and not be worried about the consequences. I miss struggling for a parking spot and dealing with going to class."

7. All kids like to eat … what are your favorite meals??
   1. Favorite food in general – "I love sushi … if I could eat it every day, I would.'
   2. Favorite pre-race snack – "For me, I need to weigh a certain way so I try not to snack too much. One of my traditions is that I've got a certain eighth-grade hat that I wear for every race."
   3. Favorite post-game meal – "A lot of times there are foods provided to us at the regatta and we all just get together and eat and talk about the races."
8. When you're not competing, what do you enjoy doing?? Any hobbies or interests???

"Basically, I love to just hang out with my friends and go shopping. I also like to roller skate."

9. In this COVID world there has been a LOT of TV binge watching going on … what are some of your favorite shows you've been hooked on over the past several months?

"I've rewatched the Vampire Diaries and lately, I've been watching a lot of Cold Case episodes. Those two have been my favorites."

10. What are some of your plans after OCC?? Perhaps a career beyond crew??

"I definitely have plans after OCC … I'm applying to the UC Schools and some Cal State ones as well. UCLA and UC Santa Barbara are my dream schools. I'm currently majoring in sociology and I know I'll have a ton of options for a career after college with that major."