On top of the water

Rowing is a game of inches. Races are won and lost by less than a second and crews battle each other to the finish line by pushing their physical limits of speed and mental endurance. Above all else, races are won by those that find a way to harness each person's desire for victory and channel their forces into a single current of raw power. The determining factor between winning and losing-between flying and dying-comes down to the heart that beats inside each individual athlete.

The article written on March 22 ("Strokes Toward Success") challenged the integrity, character and purpose of our team. In no way did it accurately represent where we are now and what we will become in the future. If you were to attend a practice or actually interview a member of the current team, the beating hearts of varsity female athletes that live and breathe their sport would silence you.

Rowing and its culture are unique unto their own. It is a repetitive action sport that by design was not meant to be comfortable. Racing without pain is not racing at all and we understand and demand that of ourselves, but so too do all other Duke varsity athletes. Every athlete on this campus understands that managing some sort of soreness, fatigue, pain or injury is a part of pushing his or her body toward achieving excellence. Whether it's running faster, swimming farther, throwing harder or shooting better, success is a physically and mentally demanding goal to achieve. However, Duke athletes are not alone in their pursuit of conquest. Our training room is unparalleled to any support system that Duke is able to offer. The time, energy and expert care that is given to our athletes by superior trainers allows us to work, heal and race at levels of peak performance. But it is two-way street. Athletes must take care of themselves and seek help when it is needed. Like any relationship, it takes equal commitment from both parties to find a solution and provide the best form of treatment. This relationship is undermined baselessly in the article by the biased reporting of comments from individuals whose responses do not represent our team in any shape or form.

Ultimately, the premise of the article questions the sustainability of our program. Our sustainability of success is relative to the time we have existed as a program and is a factor of commitment, desire and hard work. It takes time to develop technique, physical conditioning, mental discipline and commitment to competitive excellence. It took Coach Mike Krzyzewski five years to make the NCAA Tournament and six more to win it, while Coach Mike Pressler needed 12 years to build the men's lacrosse team into the force it is now. Both programs are highly visible sports with large fan and facility support. However, their success is sustainable because of their athletes' understanding and acceptance that it takes time to challenge for a national title. They have a vision to thrive with the belief that in time they will dominate. Our sustainability is no different. Duke chose our sport and we each chose Duke. As a result, we demand of ourselves to meet and exceed the academic and athletic standard of excellence put forth by our university. Proof of this lies in the consistent award of scholastic honors to our crews complimented with the recruitment of elite international and U.S. athletes. Our coaching staff has been awarded ACC coach of the year twice and Southern Region Coach of the Year honors. Our success has never been as evident as with the depth of our current team, the posting of the fastest speeds in program history, our selection as ACC crew of the week at the start of spring racing for the second year in a row, completion of a 24-hour ergathon that raised $17,000 for the Durham community and our most recent Spring Break sweep of the field while in Texas.

We love to train at Lake Michie, are fortunate to have fantastic equipment and are looking forward to an enhanced facility. We got up off the water a long time ago because we were never under it. Whoever wrote "row-row-row your boat gently down the stream" sure has never raced with us and is not prepared for what we are bringing to the water this spring.

Iraina Miles is a Trinity junior and captain of the Duke women's rowing team.