About Marysia:

What course are you studying and what level?

BA Theology and Religion

Why did you chose that course?

It is such a diverse and interdisciplinary subject. And, Theology is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) faculties at Oxford – one of the first courses of lectures given at Oxford was in Theology, over 800 years ago!

When, where and why did you start rowing? And what do you love about the sport?

I first started rowing in Trinity Term of my first year because I wanted to row bumps in Summer VIIIs but hadn’t taken up the sport beforehand because I thought the early mornings would ruin my silly fresher experience. The plan was to row for fun, enjoy the sunshine and drink Pimms, but I quickly got hooked. I love rowing because it is a demanding sport. It demands intent, passion, power, exertion, grit and determination and I love it because of that.

What was your first rowing club and coach?

Pembroke College Boat Club (PCBC) where I was coached by Simon Kerswell-Jensen and Harry Lyons.

What or who was the earliest sporting inspiration you remember as a child?

Jessica Ennis-Hill

How has rowing and being part of the Boat Race squad impacted your life?

It has really highlighted to me where my priorities lie and what is most important to me. As a rower at Oxford you dedicate a lot of time to training and have a lot of work to do for you degree, especially as a finalist. Therefore time is a very precious thing. I make sure the time I do have outside of the sport and my academic studies is time well spent with friends and family who care as much for me as I do for them.

If you weren’t a rower, what sport do you think you’d excel at?

Well, I was a spin instructor for a very short period.

What is your favourite non-academic book?

Truman Capote’s classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

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