Pine-Richland grads row to NCAA's biggest stage

Gabrielle Krieger and Abbi Altman grew up on the same street, but their paths didn’t cross until they met while taking novice rowing lessons at Pine-Richland.

From there, a friendship started that has grown immensely through the years even though the pair ended up competing at rival schools, Alabama and Tennessee.

It all culminated in one last race on the biggest stage in collegiate rowing.

Krieger competed with Alabama and Altman with Tennessee in the NCAA rowing championship Saturday, in Sarasota, Fla.

Both were on their respective team’s top boat and competing at NCAAs for the first time in their final race.

“I think it’s really cool that we both came from Pine-Richland, and now we’ve achieved our biggest goal at the same time,” Krieger said. “I’m still speechless when I try to talk about it. It’s really special.”

Alabama and Tennessee received at-large bids to the championships, so there was a little bit of nervousness during the wait to see who made the field.

Altman joked that Krieger had a little less stress, because the at-large bids were announced in alphabetical order, so Alabama was the first team revealed.

Before the selection show, Altman and Krieger sent the other a good- luck text, which has been commonplace throughout their journey.

The pair has strengthened their friendship and found a good healthy competitive balance.

“One of the biggest parts of rowing is that it’s so competitive, because there are only so many seats on the boat,” Krieger said. “Every day in practice I race my roommate for my seat on the top boat, and the one thing you learn going through rowing is that it has to be friendly competition. It’s never personal.

“Abbi and I are really good with that, whether she beats me, or I beat her. After each race we’ve run, we always give each other a hug once we get off the water. There are no hard feelings, but you want to win.”

That support for one another hasn’t wavered even in the face of competing for rival schools. Tennessee and Alabama are the only two SEC member schools with rowing, so they compete in the Big 12.

“The competition is always fierce, because of our team history, but between us it’s not super competitive personally,” Altman said. “We always tell each other good luck before each race and always say good race regardless of the outcome. It’s always been a positive vibe between us. Obviously, each one of us wants to win, but it’s supportive instead of being cut-throat.”

Altman’s and Krieger’s paths in rowing have been much different, but both started in similar fashion, with encouragement from their fathers.

Krieger described her dad, Ken, as her No. 1 fan. He rowed for the Heinz corporate team when she was growing up. She often went to the races and even carried oars for the team. Krieger didn’t initially take to rowing, but after being accepted to Alabama, her father encouraged her to try out for the rowing team.

“He told me he’d send me anywhere I wanted to go, but I had to do something productive and join a club. I took an unofficial visit with the rowing team. I rowed a little bit in high school with Abbi but not nearly as much as she did. When I went there, it took me about 30 seconds to decide that I was going to commit to rowing. I ended up walking on and never looked back. It’s been a long road going from a walk-on to making the top boat, but it’s been fun.”

Altman was looking for a team aspect in a sport when her dad, Will, suggested rowing.

“My dad said to me that (rowing) looks pretty easy and that I should try it out. After my first practice I realized that it certainly was not easy at all, but I liked it,” Altman said. “Practices are a grind, and you end up hurting afterwards, but it clicked for me. I stuck with it and have been in love with it ever since.”

Altman rowed for a club team before committing to Tennessee. She helped the Vols end an 11-year drought of making the NCAA championship race.

“It’s definitely been an uphill battle,” Altman said. “My reasoning for going to Tennessee was that I wasn’t going to just be a number on the team but someone that could make a difference. It’s been four years in the making. Our senior class has been one that has been good at setting long term goals, and it’s exciting to see them come true.”

With it being their final race, there’s little doubt that Altman and Krieger will give everything they have. It’s also certain the friendship will continue after they hang their oars up for good.

“We see each other a good amount and we text each other a lot whether it’s about our teams or rowing or whatever,” Krieger said. “I think it’s pretty amazing that both of us come from Pine-Richland and now here we are. It’s a great way to end our careers.”