Sarasota coxswain makes history at World Rowing Junior Championships

Who comes to mind when you think of women making milestones in traditionally male sports?

Maybe it’s Danica Patrick, who holds the most top-10 finishes by a woman in the history of NASCAR’s top racing series. Maybe it’s the WNBA’s Brittney Griner, who doesn’t compete against men but has shown the world that women can dunk, too. Maybe, for some of you, it’s Kelly Kulick, who in 2010 became the first woman to ever win a Professional Bowling Association tour title.

Sarasota Crew’s Sydney Edwards, 17, is about to make history of her own, perhaps as you’re reading this.

At the 2017 World Rowing Junior Championships in Lithuania, which began Aug. 2 and run until Aug. 6, Edwards will coxswain the U.S. Men’s 8+ shell (the plus sign means “with a coxswain”), becoming the first American woman to cox for a men’s team in a FISA (international) competition. FISA previously restricted coxswains to same-gendered shells, but changed its rule in March. Male coxswains can now cox for women’s boats as well.

Edwards won’t be the first woman in the world to take advantage of the change. A Netherlands U23 coxswain has that honor, but Edwards is happy to be part of American rowing history.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Edwards said. “It definitely was a huge decision when I was first invited to the (Junior Worlds) camp. I had the opportunity to also go to the women’s side, which I competed on last year. Coming to the men’s side was a leap of faith, but it was also making history, which was one of the coolest parts about it.”

Edwards began her Sarasota Crew career as a women’s coxswain, while in seventh grade at Pine View School, but quickly switched to men’s boats when she realized there were fewer people vying for those spots, she said. Coxswain was the perfect fit for her. She called herself “very OCD,” and said she likes everything to be perfect. Coxswains need that, too, in terms of making sure race plans are followed to the letter. She’s also opinionated, she said, and enjoys being a leader.

Sounds like she’s perfect for the role.

She now calls the switch to the men’s side the best decision she’s ever made. It’s like the crew is a family, and she’s inherited dozens of brothers, she said.

She’s had experience with women’s boats, too, coxing the Women’s 8+ to a fifth-place finish at last year’s World Rowing Junior Championships, and she’s noticed some differences in the two jobs.

“They are definitely different in the way you have to motivate them,” Edwards said. “Women are very thoughtful about what they want to hear when they’re in a lot of pain. Meanwhile, guys are very easy. They’re much easier to motivate, but they’re also more stubborn and headstrong. Other than that, everything is basically the same.”

Other Sarasota Crew members at the World Rowing Junior Championships include Julia Braz, rowing in the Women’s 8+; Clark Dean, rowing in both the Men’s 1 scull and 4+; and Harrison Schofield, rowing in the Men’s 4- (no coxswain). Dean also competed at last year’s games, helping the Men’s 4 sculling team to third place.

Edwards will continue coxing next season at Princeton University, with the Men’s Lightweight team. If any coxswain’s roar over the microphone can get the Tigers motivated, it’s her.