After winning the 2024 Women’s Rowing National Championship on June 2, Texas rowers remained in Austin for a short period of time before a hard-earned break. Some went home, many trained on their own and others competed on behalf of their country. Sue Holderness did all three. 

Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Holderness is in her senior season at Texas. The three-time Big 12 champion went home for a week last spring before coming back to the Forty Acres with goals to qualify and represent the United States in the Under-23 World Championship. Following qualification, Holderness and three teammates spent the rest of the summer in Austin training, with Holderness honing in on technique. 

“It was really great this summer to have a bit more personalized coaching,” Holderness said. “I was really trying to dial in on technique and making changes with my catches, so I think that was a really good opportunity this summer and having more eyes on us to take advantage of that.”

Holderness’ squad placed seventh overall at the world championships and won the B final, narrowly defeating second-place Netherlands in St. Catharines, Canada. While the result did not match the effort, Holderness further developed her chemistry with 2024 CRCA Athlete of the Year and former teammate Anna Jensen. The four-year veteran and two-time national champion for the Longhorns leaves not only a legacy but also an opportunity for Holderness to step up in her absence.  

While Holderness may have been vigilant of the challenge of being a leader, Texas rowing head coach Dave O’Neill connects Holderness’ development as a rower to her rise in leadership capabilities. 

“She has matured as an athlete,” O’Neill said. “She understands more of what needs to be done in terms of getting the results that she wants, and I think now that she’s had some adversity, but she has really stepped up. So when she speaks now there’s more gravitas to what she has to say.”

Despite O’Neill crediting Holderness, she said that the team culture helped her become a leader. Her attention to detail in rowing reflects Holderness’ focus on the little things. 

“Our teammates are relying on us,” Holderness said. “And all those little micro-decisions that we make throughout the day, whether it’s just smiling or that extra little fist bump, or conversation with one of our teammates … that makes a big difference and has an impact. And so we’ve really bought into what our team’s goal is.” 

Holderness and Texas rowing will attempt to become back-to-back champions again after repeating in 2021 and 2022.