Few athletes starting a brand new sport in high school end up committing. But senior Lilah Marble did exactly that: In just two years, she went from knowing nothing about rowing to committing to Division 1 at Saint Mary’s College.

Before learning to row, Lilah spent four years on the volleyball courts, where she learned the importance of teamwork in sports.  However, her love for volleyball also came with an overwhelming amount of pressure. Eager to try something new, she turned to rowing — a suggestion offered by her previous volleyball teammate.

“I was kind of hesitant at first,” Lilah said. “But it’s really a team sport, and I fell in love with that.”

For Lilah, the  transition required overcoming self-criticism and finding new ways to persevere. Being introduced to a rigorous schedule of workouts, both on the water and in the weight room, was a challenge to adapt to. Still, she prided herself on changing her fixed mindset surrounding her mental growth. 

“When you’re on the water, you can’t stop midway through,” Lilah said. “So you have to find that grit that doesn’t seem like it’s really there.”

Lilah has also worked on changing the way she views races — now, she meditates before every race to calm her nerves. Also learning to reframe negative thoughts during races, these lessons on the water have carried over into Lilah’s school life as well.

“It helps me before a test that I’m super nervous for,” Lilah said. “In general, I’m more open to accepting situations rather than listening to them.”

Outside of the boat, Lilah is a positive force in the classroom, using social skills learned through rowing to support those around her. She’s adapted to her surroundings the same way she adapts to teammates in the boat, and she has learned the importance of patience and giving others the space to succeed. 

Since Lilah only started rowing at the age of 16, unlike other athletes her age who had already started considering recruitment, Lilah never did until her senior year. However, when a coach from Saint Mary’s visited their practice during the fall of her senior year, Lilah took initiative. Her self-advocacy and presentation of herself ultimately gave her the opportunity to visit Saint Mary’s campus. 

“It all happened so fast,” Lilah said. “I was in this complete state of ‘wow.’”

After visiting the Moraga campus and meeting the Saint Mary’s rowing team, Lilah was impressed by the school’s academics and strong rowing team. As rowing is so team-heavy, Lilah wanted uplifting coaches and a connected group, something Saint Mary’s offers.

Lilah had a twisting journey to get to her commitment, but her perseverance and hard work at every practice paid off and she officially announced that she would be rowing for Saint Mary’s in January of this year. 

“If I could tell my younger self anything, I would say just to do your best, and everything will be alright,” Lilah said.