On Tap with ... Heidi Robbins

Q: How did you start doing crew?

A: I’m a walk-on, and I’m still not quite sure if I was either asked or told it would be a really good thing for me to do. This was at the freshman sign-in fair in Dillon, and it was the assistant coach who came up to me. I’m really glad she did. She was very enthusiastic about the sport. I can’t say it was love at first sight with the sport, but I love it now for sure.

Q: Why did you decide to walk on to the team?

A: I didn’t come here intending to be a part of any sport, much less crew. After a couple days of practice, especially on the water and with the girls, I was hooked. It was great having a group to be connected to, which was a reason to stay.

Q: Where are you from and what is it like there?

A: I’m from Hanover, N.H. It’s a little bit cooler than here … it’s a good place. Lots of trees.

Q: What is your role on the team?

A: I’m not the goofball … I work hard and try to get my best. I enjoy watching other people’s antics because they’re pretty funny.

Q: What’s the weirdest thing that’s happened to you in a race?

A: It was during the Spare-Pair race during my freshman year. Besides [the fact] that we flipped the day before during practice for the race, during the race my seat came off the track and we had to stop and put it back in before we could keep going.

Q: What’s the best part about being an athlete on campus?

A: It’s incredible to have a big family. Our women’s open team family is quite big and tight, and then extend that to the boathouse and it’s a huge family. It’s also nice having something to do everyday. It’s great to have a breather from school sometimes. Otherwise, it would be tough.

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Q: What’s the worst part about being an athlete on campus?

A: Gosh … I don’t have that many! You can’t cut out hours of sleep, but in general, I like to sleep.

Q: If not crew, what sport would you play?

A: Lacrosse. I played lacrosse in high school and adored it.

Q: What do you like to do when not practicing?

A: Hang out with friends, listen to music. I’m a horseback rider; that’s a passion that I’ve always had.

Q: Who is your quirkiest teammate and why?

A: I think we’re all a little crazy. Nicole Bielawski takes the cake. She’s a junior, and a fine woman. People say she’s a creature like no other.

Q: Does the team have any odd rituals?

A: We have the great dress ceremony that happens during winter training trip, which was in Tampa this year. Dresses are passed down from juniors to sophomores. There are lots of fun things — the team comes up with pretty awesome Halloween costumes for Chase Night, which is just a couple days after Princeton Halloween.

Q: What’s the greatest highlight of your sports career?

A: Sweeping sprints last year as a team and going on to win NCAAs.

Q: What’s the most embarrassing song on your iPod?

A: Too many … My iPod never plays in the boathouse during workouts. Simon and Garfunkel, ABBA and Mary Chapin Carpenter rank up there. There’s a good one from Hercules too.