BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh rowing team wraps up its season this weekend as the women compete in the Patriot League Championships while the men head to the Dad Vail Regatta. Lehighsports.com caught up with the four seniors to reflect on their careers in the Brown and White.
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Natalie Bates - Blue Bell, Pa - Supply Chain Management and Environmental Science What's your favorite Lehigh Rowing memory up until this point? NB: My favorite memory was beating Holy Cross this year because it was a great bonding moment for our boat and a testament to all of the work that we had put in up to that point.Â
 How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh? NB: I would like to be remembered as a hard worker and as someone who consistently wanted to do their best, despite the challenges facing me.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors. NB: Even though I haven't known everyone for four years, I think that this year has allowed to learn a lot about Shannon and Carolyn. Having been through really difficult conditions and workouts throughout this entire year, I feel like I can really trust them to work hard no matter what.
What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career? NB: It's a confusing end for me because of track and rowing, but I feel like I am leaving here with no regrets. I think about how it might have been easy to not have been on a team, but this year really helped me to grow into a better person.Â
What will you miss most about Lehigh and Lehigh Rowing? NB: I will miss the people the most because they have been so inviting and encouraging, especially when I was struggling to learn the basics. Additionally, they stick together through everything so I know this is a team that I can trust.Â
What would you say to a Lehigh student interested in Lehigh Rowing who may be interested in joining the team? NB: To someone who wants to join… it's totally possible! As long as you have a good attitude, are willing to work hard and push through the conditions, this could be a really good experience for you. I'm really glad I made the leap this fall and stuck with it!
What are your postgraduate plans? NB: I will be working at BASF (chemicals company) next year and training for triathlons in my free time. I'm not sure when I'll get back in a boat, but I know I'll be back to watch some regattas.
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Shannon Dennington - Greenlawn, N.Y. - Marketing What's your favorite Lehigh Rowing memory up until this point? SD: My favorite memory would be Dad Vails my freshman year. We had worked so hard to get to where we were and it paid off. The moment when we were sitting on the medal dock receiving our bronze medal was an amazing feeling and something I will never forget.
 How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh? SD: On the team, I hope to be remembered as someone who brought up spirits and kept a positive outlook. While on the team, I've had multiple obstacles thrown my way, but I hope to leave people with the idea that if I could make it, so can they.
 Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors. SD: With such a small group, it has really allowed us to become closer. Carolyn and I have really made the journey together from starting in the Freshmen Eight together and now finishing up our senior years. We've always been there to push each other and it is going to be difficult saying goodbye.
 What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career? SD: The major thought is how fast the time has gone. I still feel like freshman year was a month ago and time just jumped. I've been telling the underclassmen on the team to enjoy their time because before you know it four years go by and you need to make the most of it.
What will you miss most about Lehigh and Lehigh Rowing? SD: The thing I will miss most would have to be the people. Having all of your close friends within less than a two-mile radius makes everything that much more enjoyable and exciting. The team is going to be difficult to leave, but with the strides they have made in this past year, I know they are going to continue to excel in the future and I am so proud to be a part of that progress.
 What would you say to a Lehigh student interested in Lehigh Rowing who may be interested in joining the team? SD: I would explain how within this sport, I have met some of the most amazing people in my life. They're a group of people who will support you through the tough times and celebrate you in the good times. Making the decision to join the team was one of the best decisions I have made at my time at Lehigh and I am so grateful to have this team in my life.
 What are your postgraduate plans? SD: I hope to find a job in the marketing or real estate field back on Long Island.
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Carolyn Mazzie - Norwood, N.J. - Accounting What's your favorite Lehigh Rowing memory up until this point? CM: There's no one moment especially. It's the combination of all of the little moments that have created inside jokes that get us through impossible workouts.
 How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh? CM: I would like to leave a legacy of beginning a big change. I'm not going to be here for the amazing things my teammates are going to accomplish, but I would like to think I had a part in getting the ball rolling.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors. CM: While I only met Natalie this year, we definitely clicked and it has been awesome getting to know her. Shannon and I have been together from day one and have each others' backs through the good days and the bad.
What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career? CM: What do people do from 4-7 p.m.?
 What will you miss most about Lehigh and Lehigh Rowing? CM: The people for sure. I spend more time with them than anyone else, including my own family. I'm going to miss having a built-in support system and a second family that I get to see every day.
 What would you say to a Lehigh student interested in Lehigh Rowing who may be interested in joining the team? CM: It will be the most rewarding experience in college if you stick it out.
 What are your postgraduate plans? CM: Getting my master's in Accounting at Lehigh!
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Brett Ley (back) - Bridgeville, Pa. - Materials Science and Engineering What's your favorite Lehigh Rowing memory up until this point? BL: My favorite Lehigh Rowing memory is winter training camp from my senior year. Everyone on the team knew that those two weeks were going to be exhausting, but from the very first stroke of the very first piece, you could tell that the team was committed to winning. Beyond working hard, we grew closer as a team that break and events like throwing a "Pancake Party" are times I'll cherish the most.
 How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh? BL: I want to be remembered as a guy who just bled brown and white during his time on the Lehigh Rowing team. Whether I was in Kyiv, Ukraine, or Albuquerque, New Mexico for summer internships, I always made an effort to train and come back in even better shape than when I left. Rowing has been an amazing journey for me, and I hope that my time on the team can inspire other rowers who decide to walk on their freshmen year.Â
 Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors. BL: I may not be the most vocal person on the team, but my fellow seniors mean so much to me. To make it through four years of collegiate rowing, you need dedication, love for the sport and love for the team. I really can't thank them enough for their commitment and hard work.Â
 What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career? BL: Three words, "I'm not ready." Rowers strive for perfection and live by the mantra "I can always be faster." I've improved so much over four years, but the question "how fast can I be?" still lurks in the back of my mind. I guess we'll just have to wait and see where else rowing takes me because I'm not sure if I'm ready to hang up the oar yet.Â
 What will you miss most about Lehigh and Lehigh Rowing? BL: I'll miss Saturday morning brunches with the team. Saturday practices are notoriously hard, so there isn't anything better than coming back to campus and eating so much food that it shocks other students in the dining hall.
 What would you say to a Lehigh student interested in Lehigh Rowing who may be interested in joining the team? BL: I would say that rowing is the hardest and most rewarding thing that I've ever done. You get through tough times as a team and you make memories that you'll never forget. The culture on the team is demanding, but if you are a person that strives to push limits, then rowing is for you. And, if you've never touched a boat before, don't worry because I was a walk-on too!
 What are your postgraduate plans? BL: Next year, I'm returning to Lehigh to complete my Integrated Business and Engineering Degree. However, after that I'm looking to enter a PhD program in Materials Science and Engineering.
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