Eastern Michigan Athletics
Senior Spotlight: Amanda Flora, Rowing
4/7/2020 11:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing, General
EMU Athletics will recognize and share stories of the Class of 2020
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - An accomplished member of the 2020 senior class, Amanda Flora (Greenfield, Ind.-Greenfield) leaves the Eastern Michigan rowing program as the first three-time All-CAA team selection in program history. A consistent presence in the First Varsity Eight boat, Flora was a member of the regatta-winning boats at the 2017 and 2019 Mid-America College Rowing Association (MACRA) Championships, 2018 George Mason Invitational, 2019 Cooper Invitational, and 2019 Head of the Grand. The Indiana native aided the First Varsity Eight boat to a program-best fifth-place finish at the prestigious Head of the Charles in 2019. In addition, she raced in First Varsity Eight boat at 2019 CAA Championships, taking third place in the race to help EMU match its best team finish at the CAA Championships.
Reflecting on her time at Eastern, Flora said: "The most rewarding memory to take away from my four years as being an EMU athlete is watching the rowing program change. My freshman year, the drive and desire to win races was nowhere near how strong it was my senior year. Freshman year, there were races that we didn't even talk about because of where we stood as a program. Then, by senior year, we were finishing in the top-five at these regattas and recording the highest finishes in school history. During conference my junior year, we finished with the school's highest finish, with two boats medaling and finishing third overall as a team. The EMU rowing program now strives for opportunities to race ranked schools with the intent to improve as a program rather than looking for easy medals to win. The second best memory was being the first EMU rower to race internationally on the World Champions University Team. It was rewarding to see hard work pay off and experience a new type of racing. It was a humbling experience to be selected for this opportunity."
During the summer of 2018, Flora was named to Team USA for the World University Rowing Championships. A member of the Varsity Four boat, the team finished third in their opening heat, followed by a second-place finish in the semifinal heat to secure a spot in the A Final. The V4+ boat finished fifth overall in their final race of the competition.
In addition to her accomplishments on the water, Flora has been named to the CAA Commissioner's Honor Roll during her academic career. Flora will be graduating with a degree in occupational therapy.
Reflecting on her time at Eastern, Flora said: "The most rewarding memory to take away from my four years as being an EMU athlete is watching the rowing program change. My freshman year, the drive and desire to win races was nowhere near how strong it was my senior year. Freshman year, there were races that we didn't even talk about because of where we stood as a program. Then, by senior year, we were finishing in the top-five at these regattas and recording the highest finishes in school history. During conference my junior year, we finished with the school's highest finish, with two boats medaling and finishing third overall as a team. The EMU rowing program now strives for opportunities to race ranked schools with the intent to improve as a program rather than looking for easy medals to win. The second best memory was being the first EMU rower to race internationally on the World Champions University Team. It was rewarding to see hard work pay off and experience a new type of racing. It was a humbling experience to be selected for this opportunity."
During the summer of 2018, Flora was named to Team USA for the World University Rowing Championships. A member of the Varsity Four boat, the team finished third in their opening heat, followed by a second-place finish in the semifinal heat to secure a spot in the A Final. The V4+ boat finished fifth overall in their final race of the competition.
In addition to her accomplishments on the water, Flora has been named to the CAA Commissioner's Honor Roll during her academic career. Flora will be graduating with a degree in occupational therapy.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
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