Senior Spotlight: Lucah Ueno

Women’s Team Coxswain

Hometown: Ikoma, Japan

Major: Computer Science and Economics

Post-Graduation Plans: Working in Tokyo

How and why did you join Northwestern Crew?

I wanted to join a sport because I knew that it would include travel and team bonding and all that stuff. I wanted to do something competitive, and was looking at all the clubs at Northwestern at the career fair, and they told me that the year before me, the novice Four won ACRA, they had multiple medals, and that they practiced six days a week and I was like, this is what I want to do. 

What’s your favorite memory from being on the team?

I'm gonna have to say Spring Break freshman year, or going to the Head of the Charles this year. So spring break, I know this year's gonna be more fun, but it's just the team bonding, spending time with everyone, getting to know everyone. I feel like before that I didn't really know anyone. But spring break, I just bonded with my van and got to know so many people. Head of the Charles, kind of the same thing, it was a four or five day trip just bonding, having fun.

What’s the most difficult part of crew for you?

The most difficult part is, I guess, COVID because we missed two ACRAs, a lot of practice time on the water. Especially sophomore spring, I feel like we could have had a really great season, and I really liked the seniors then so I'm sad that I couldn't compete with them. But I guess that's just COVID and that’s just life.  

Do you have a favorite regatta memory?

Head of the Charles was big, and then I guess ACRA my freshman year was pretty big because it was multiple days of competition. At ACRA my freshman year, we really didn't know how good we were, or how bad we were really. We went in without knowing anything, there's a coach telling us to just go at the highest rate you can and we had zero ratio, but it was just so fun. 

Head of the Charles also, I feel like that we had a goal like we wanted to make Top 50% and we did that too. We didn't really know how fast we were compared to the other teams. At Head of the Charles you actually have to steer, so that was interesting as a coxswain.

So far, what’s been your biggest “W” on the team?

I feel like after test pieces, I really love how the women's team is super supportive of each other and my heart always warms up every time we finish the test piece. I love this team, just to see everyone reach their goal or at least try and become really, really close to it, it’s such a good feeling.

What’s been the most rewarding part of crew for you?

Head of the Charles was really rewarding because we made the top 50%, and I left something for the team next year so that they can experience the same thing again. I'm really, really looking forward to spring because the rowers are really, really working hard and you can really see that over winter break. So many other people have made huge strides. I'm just so excited for this spring because I know what we're gonna do will be rewarding.

What’s been your biggest struggle or difficulty on the team?

 When I transitioned from a rower to a coxswain, I didn't know what to do, but Lillian, I remember we went to Norris together and she taught me all the calls from getting the boat out of the pen, getting it on the water, stearing, literally being like, “Okay, you walk here once you see this, say up in overhead,” every single step. Bella also helped me so much. So I overcame that, but with the help of so many of my teammates.

How do you stay motivated and how are you currently staying motivated?

I think it's this satisfaction of seeing other people achieve their goals, it’s kind of addicting honestly. I love that feeling when someone achieves their goals and they’re really, really happy, that feeling is so good. Like, I want to do that again.

What will you miss the most?

Definitely the people, I know I don't know what I'll do without them. Honestly, I can't imagine not going to practice every day and, I'm then not seeing everyone. It's gonna be a big change for me. I really, really like the people. I've been in other teams, but it's just, maybe working together every day and so early, it sounds like we suffer in this sport, but we bond over the hardships.