Senior Lily Webster-Hand joined the OKC juniors rowing team the summer before her eighth grade year. Five years later, not only has she been recruited to row at the collegiate level, Webster-Hand said the program has become part of her identity.

“It has done a lot for me as a person,” Webster-Hand said. “I feel like it has made me more responsible. Athletically it has done wonders for me.”

Webster-Hand has made a life long commitment to the sport and she plans on continuing her academic and athletic career at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. 

“I’m really excited that I’ll get to continue it in college,” Webster-Hand said. “I don’t want my career to end.”

Webster-Hand was in search of a school that had her majors; Astronomy and Astrophysics, and the opportunities to pursue rowing. She found out about Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the fall of 2024. The school interested her because of its great piloting and aerospace engineering program and division two rowing team. As well as the university’s location in Daytona Beach, Florida. 

“A lot excites me about the collegiate level, like everything, but primarily the further development of my own athletic skills,” Webster-Hand said. 

She had a difficult time finding colleges in the south with both her intended majors and a rowing program. The recruiting process can be challenging for student athletes. Many like Webster-Hand have to gain ambition and advocate for themselves.

“I’ve set goals for myself to progress, and I’ve beat those goals time and time again, which has been very impressive for me to see,” Webster-Hand said.

In a time of growth, Webster-Hand reflected on her past experience as a student athlete. She said showing up for yourself is the biggest part of her recruiting experience. 

“Don’t give up,” Webster-Hand said. “Have your goal and your future in mind, and strive for it, work for it, and you will not only get there, but go farther.”