Washington State women’s rowing: the most successful sport many people don’t know about.

Last year, the Cougars qualified for the NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships held at Indianapolis’s Eagle Creek Park, placing 14th overall with 62 points. They also qualified for the national championships three times in four years.

Junior rower and British Columbia native Mickey Aylard has watched the crew team grow and become a competent team, which keeps her motivated to continue the success.

“Getting to nationals was so rewarding because we work so hard for one race,” Aylard said. “That means a lot and it paid off.”

Coming in as a well-rounded athlete continuously targeted by the Canadian National Team throughout high school, Aylard is determined to make rowing a more renowned sport.

“I want to continue to make rowing better and strive for more,” she said.

Aylard comes from a rowing family background, with a brother who rowed for Canada, she fell into the hands of rowing watching her family compete.

Outside of rowing, she admires the qualities of her family that have motivated her in her career.

“My older sister is very compassionate and strong,” Aylard said. “I want to be strong and compassionate like my sister.”  

Even though she loves to row, she has different goals after she graduates. Her parents are farmers and she said she hopes to manage their farm one day.

Off the water, Aylard said she and her teammates spend time bonding through various activities, including the culinary arts.

“We bake a lot when we’re not rowing. We bake cakes, cookies, and just hangout like the family that we are,” she said.

After the season she also made the select team for her province and was able to bring home the Gold for the 2013 Canada Games.  Three of her teammates accompanied Aylard in the 2013 Canada Games: Jordan Watson, Morgan Cathrea and Nicole Hare.

“It was an intense race, every practice had a goal,” Aylard said. “Overall, we had a great race, which brought us the Gold.”

This year she said she wants to strive to make it to nationals once again, and possibly win it all.

The start of their journey starts Sept. 28 at the Head of the Pend Oreille in Priest River, Idaho.