(New Buffalo, MI) - A New Buffalo High School graduate was just an ordinary athlete with no expectations of playing any sport in college, but any dreams he might have now of competing in the Olympics could seem legitimate.
John Riley, who just completed his first year at the University of Michigan, is considered one of the best collegiate athletes in the nation at rowing.
The Three Oaks native was named to the American Collegiate Rowing Association’s first team all freshmen first squad.
Riley said he felt he had a chance but was still a bit surprised when first notified of his selection by a text message from a friend. He was later congratulated by his coach.
“I was just really, really happy about that,” he said.
His sudden climb up the athletic ladder is even more stunning, perhaps, because Riley had never been in a row boat when his roommate with a brother on the team encouraged him to try out.
He was impressive enough for the coaches to find a spot for him on the eight man 60 foot Wolverines freshman row boat.
“They saw a lot of potential in me,” he said.
His freshman team defeating the likes of UCLA and Purdue during the fall and spring regular seasons recently placed third in the ACRA Nationals in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Riley said rowing competitively and the work involved to be successful is physically grueling but he likes the challenge of pushing himself to the limits. He also enjoys he and his teammates in unison “pushing through the pain” toward the finish line.
“There’s something, I think, inherently beautiful about that,” he said.
Riley played soccer in each of his four years at New Buffalo High School and was a member of the track team for two seasons. He also played baseball for one year.
Riley said not once did he ever imagine being in any sport in college let alone having such early success.
For now, Riley said he wants to see how far the sport takes him over the next couple of years before deciding whether the Olympics is something he wants to set as a goal.
“It’s a thought in the back of my mind. It’s a little unlikely but it’s not completely out of the picture,” he said.
Riley is majoring in Kinesiology with an eye on a career somewhere in the medical field.
