This episode was made possible in part by Live2Row Studios, Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.

Born and raised on Vashon Island, Washington, Jacob Plihal wasn’t super excited to start rowing (ugh, spandex!), but in 2012 a knee injury prompted him to give up his basketball dreams. With prodding from his physical therapist, and then motivated by friend, classmate and Jr. National Team rower Mia Croonquist, he climbed the ladder to Northeastern University team captain, then the U23 National team, and most recently was named to the 2024 U.S. Olympic team in the men’s single. At 6’10”, Jacob has a clear view of the world’s biggest rowing and athletic achievement: Paris 2024.

We really appreciate his honesty about working for over a decade through both success and disappointment. About turning down opportunities because funding wasn’t available. And about having to work around limited mobility in his knee. He credits a certain amount of stubbornness to sticking to the grind and figuring out what works (and what doesn’t).

For all these reasons, we’re rooting for Vashon Island’s hometown kid this summer at the Olympic Games Paris.

OLYMPIC ROWING SCHEDULE

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode Lead-In
01:22 - The Huddle
02:13 - On a scale of 1-10, Jacob’s rowing week was a 7
02:37 - The Hot Seat Q&A
03:53 - Growing up with freedom to explore on Vashon Island, WA
05:21 - Rowing origin story: A serious knee injury as a teen changed Jacob’s athletic path 
08:42 - Rehabbing an injury while you’re still growing, and working around limited range of motion today
10:23 - Being a member of the Green Racing Project at Craftsbury Outdoor Center
12:28 - Playing it safe before the big show
14:10 - The idea of making a national team was planted very early
16:55 - What the heck is the Regatta of Death?
21:06 - What’s on your mind on the starting blocks in Lucerne?
23:30 - Rowing Fillipi’s biggest single and testing out various Concept2 blades
24:15  - Hometown response to qualifying for the Olympics
26:00 - Making the most of being an Olympian in the community
27:47 - Olympic race date/time and getting a new Fillipi in Paris
29:27 - Jacob explains the perfect stroke and a Kris Korzeniowski drill to help you get there
31:50 - Tara and Rachel’s move into sculling in 2024 for Race Around the Rock
34:57 - Rowing with Isaiah Harrison (6’9”) vs Don Williams (6’2”)
36:00 - SSN Events & Announcements

Steady State Podcast is written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering and is our sponsor coordinator. Rachel manages the website, social media, and e-newsletter. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

Episode Mentions

CLUBS
Craftsbury Green Racing Project
Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing
Vashon Island Rowing Club 
Vesper Boat Club

COACHES
Tom Kaczynski 
Kris Korzeniowski 
Volker Nolte
Richard Parr
Bob Reichart
🎧 Will Ruth
Dan Walsh
Steve Whelpley

COXSWAINS
🎧 Mary Whipple

EQUIPMENT
Concept2 Smoothie 2 Plain Edge blade
Concept2 comp blade
Filippi F39

EVENTS
Olympic Games Paris 2024

GOVERNANCE
International Olympic Committee

REGATTAS 
European Rowing Championships
Final Olympic Qualification Regatta
Head of the Charles
Henley Royal Regatta
World Rowing Junior Championships
Race Around the Rock
World Rowing Cups

RESOURCES
Rowing Stronger by Will Ruth

ROWERS
Mia Croonquist
🎧 Isaiah Harrison
Alexander Hedge
Matt Johnson
Marilyn Klein
Paul O’Donovan
Don Williams

UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Northeastern University
University of Pennsylvania 
University of Washington

USROWING
Junior National Team
Olympic and Senior National Team
U23 National Team
Youth Development Camp