Pine-Richland grad picked for national rowing camp, still has goals to reach at Alabama

Gabrielle Krieger wrapped up her senior academic year at the University of Alabama on Tuesday morning with her online final in advanced exercise physiology.

For the 2016 Pine-Richland graduate, a veteran member of the Crimson Tide women’s rowing team, it was a positive development in what has been a challenging time the past several weeks in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.

Last week, as she was in full gear for her academic finals, Krieger also found acknowledgement for her athletic efforts and endeavors.

Despite the cancellation of the 2020 international racing schedule, she was recognized by USRowing with selection to the Under 23 Women’s National Team Selection Camp, which was to be June 17-21 in Boston.

“It’s not an ideal situation, and I wish I could spend part of my summer in Boston and then go to the world championships, but at the same time, a lot of people’s lives have been flipped upside down, so we have to make the best of it,” said Krieger, who also saw her spring collegiate season cut short after one event when the NCAA halted all activities March 12.

The camp was to have Krieger and the other selected athletes compete for spots on the under 23 national team that was to move on to the Under 23 World Championships in August in Bled, Slovenia.

Despite the circumstances, Krieger, who turns 22 on June 13, said she is honored to have been selected for the opportunity to compete internationally with a lot of the best young talent in the country.

The recognition comes as no surprise to Alabama rowing coach Glenn Putyrae.

“It is a great accomplishment for Gabrielle to be selected and recognized,” he said. “Her willingness to put herself out there and want to test herself against the best really shows a lot about her character.”

Krieger is among a select group of nine athletes from a large body of applicants chosen to the camp in the women’s lightweight category.

Each boat in the category must have an average weight of 130 pounds or less.

All nine, Krieger said, were expected to form the women’s lightweight team for the world championships with boat placement within the team to be determined during the camp.

“They mentioned during a Zoom meeting Sunday that this was one of the most competitive years with the most applicants and the best times they had ever seen,” Krieger said. “It was really hard for them to pick who they wanted to be on the team. The fact that I was one of the ones selected, I am so appreciative.”

Krieger qualified through time and distance tests on a stationary ergometer rower, as well as power tests and in videos of her on-water performances this past fall and spring.

“I think everything was pretty consistent, and that helped me,” she said.

Krieger said that while nothing beats in-person instruction and training, she is taking advantage of a virtual camp with group workouts through Zoom.

“The coaches are putting in a lot of effort and are doing what they can to help us, and I am appreciative of that. We take what we can get,” she said.

Putyrae said Krieger’s selection is a testament to her toughness.

“Generally, within our team, she’s not competing against people who are the same size as her. She’s competing against and beating people who are bigger and stronger than she is. She has a tenacity that brings her success.”

Krieger, who is staying in shape with rower workouts and daily runs, said she is champing at the bit to get back in the water. She is hopeful for the chance at high-level training at Boston University at the end of the summer.

She also has her eye on the 138th Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in St. Catharines, Ontario, in August.

Krieger and her Alabama teammates opened the spring season with success in a home competition against Eastern Michigan and Southern Methodist.

Preparation for a key race in Tennessee the weekend of March 14 was well underway when the season came to a halt.

“I was so excited for the rest of the season,” she said. “It was hard because it happened so fast.”

The team, Krieger said, was hoping to earn an automatic or at-large bid to the NCAA championships.

“When I got to Alabama, we didn’t talk about going to NCAAs,” she said. “We got new coaches after my sophomore year, and that completely changed the program. My class created a higher standard, a higher work ethic and a more positive environment. This year, we were 99% sure we were going to get a bid.”

Pulling times she never thought she could achieve, Krieger said she was feeling good about how she was helping the team overall and helping the freshman and other young rowers become more a part of the group.

Krieger said she hopes to take advantage of the NCAA allowance of an extra year of eligibility for spring student-athletes.

“With how Alabama rowing has impacted my life, I would be crazy to not use that extra year and help take the team to NCAAs,” she said. “I applied to graduate school, so as long as I get in, I will use my extra year.”

Putyrae hopes things work out for Krieger and she is able to return to the squad.

“Gabrielle has an amazing passion for the sport,” he said. “She loves rowing. She has an infectious enthusiasm that she shares with her teammates. They all really look to her for energy, especially when times are challenging. She really brings a positive attitude to everything she does.”