Athlete of the Week: Gabby Halula

Gabby Halula, 18, is a senior at Sarasota High School and one of the captains of Sarasota Crew. She is a member of the undefeated Women’s Varsity Eight and also was selected to participate in the U.S. Women’s Rowing Junior Selection Camp this summer in Connecticut. Halula will be racing with her team at the District Championships April 21, in Tampa, where she hopes her team will continue its dominance.

How did you get involved in Sarasota Crew?
My step-dad, Casey Galvanek, has been a rower for a long time, and when he and my mom got together, he showed me the sport. When he’d go out to practice in his single, I would have my own single, and from the first time I got in the single, I thought, “Wow. I could really enjoy this.”

How long have you been rowing?
I started in the eighth grade. I was originally on the Sarasota Scullers, but my step-dad started being a coach for Sarasota Crew, so I switched.

What is it like being a captain?
As a captain, you have to have leadership skills and be able to help with the younger rowers and teach them and mentor them and try to keep control of the team — and keep everybody happy. I enjoy being looked up to and helping the younger rowers with an issue or if they have a question about something a coach said.

What was the best race for you this season?
I have two. I would have to say our race this past weekend, the Florida Sprint League Championship, and our Winter Park Dual. The Winter Park Dual was first race of the season head-to-head against a big state team. Winter Park is a very fast team and has had the state title for many, many years. For us to go and race them made us very excited, stressed and nervous. Then, we defeated them and beat their course record on their home course.

Do you plan to row in college?
I will be rowing for the University of Washington in Seattle on a rowing scholarship. When I visited them, they were a very fun and well-rounded team. It was really beautiful out there, and the coach was super nice and very welcoming.

What are your plans for college outside of rowing?
I don’t know what I am majoring in yet, but I want to go into vet sciences and maybe marine biology. I am interning right now at Cat Depot as a veterinary assistant.

What will you miss most about Sarasota Crew?
The people I have met and all the experiences we have had together. I truly have a second family.