Clara Sutka’s day begins with a 5 a.m. alarm. Then it’s to the vans outside by 5:45 a.m. The team needs to be out in the water by 6 a.m.
And that’s just the start for Sutka, a junior rower for the Michigan State University team. After morning practice, she’s back to campus before 8 a.m so she can make it to her first lecture of the day. Class continues until 2:30 p.m. Then it’s on the weight room for an hour before 2.5 hours more of rowing practice and a lift session. “I think Clare is the epitome of a student-athlete, she’s incredibly hard working and comes to practice ready to go every day even with a busy schedule,” said Samantha Sarff, an assistant coach on MSU’s rowing staff. “She’s able to balance performing at a high level on a daily basis with performing academically as well.”
At 6:30 p.m. Sutka is finally done.