Ella Stadler

Nationality

GBR/USA

Height

1.75m

School/High School

All Hallows School

Club

OUWBC

Undergraduate/Graduate

Graduate

Previous University

University of Oxford

Undergraduate course

BA History

Graduate course

MSc History of Science, Medicine and Technology

What is your Oxford College?

Exeter College

Why are you studying your course?

To further the interests stimulated by my undergraduate thesis research on the gendered presentation of female track and field Olympians during the Cold War. Following this course, I hope to pursue a business career within the sporting sector.

What is the most interesting part of your course?

The most interesting part of my course is my thesis research. I am examining the social and political causes behind the introduction of sex testing at the Olympic Games during the Cold War. To complete this, I will analyse the communications between national sporting bodies and the International Olympic Committee between the period 1945-2000.

Year you first started rowing?

2019

First rowing club?

Exeter College Boat Club

Name of first rowing coach?

Beth Dutton

Why/How did you get into rowing?

Before coming to university, I had erged for fitness purposes and trying the sport properly, on the water, seemed like the next natural step.

Who is your rowing idol?

Meghan O’Leary

How do you balance rowing and academic life?

It’s tough and in all honesty, it never feels like you’re quite hitting that balance, but instead that you could and should be giving more to both. I’ve definitely found the need to remind myself that I am only human and there are only 24 hours in a day. Ultimately, it’s the study sessions with teammates that keep the motivation up and the stresses down.

Who would be your dream team eight to row with from everyone in the history of rowing?

Katherine Grainger, Helen Glover, Zulette Lamb, Lena Polhamus, Agnes Polhamus, Caroline Polhamus, John Opey, Heather Stanning.

What’s your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far?

My rowing history has been limited by floods and Covid over the past few years, but the past 5 months has definitely made up for it. I started 2022 in stroke seat of ECBC’s 1st VIII and we surprised even ourselves when we went on to win Blades in Torpids. Since joining OUWBC, success at BUCS and Henley Women’s Regatta in the 4+ were both moments I am very proud of.

Have you raced in the Boat Race before? If yes, when?

No

Have you ever been at school/ university/on a team with anyone at ‘the other place’?

No but my brother just started at the other place. Ew.

Your favourite race so far?

Henley Women’s Regatta in the Development 4+

What is the best place you have ever rowed?

Wörthersee, Austria

Where would be your dream place to row?

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Obviously, it’s long hours and hard work – what inspires you to keep rowing?

The women I’m surrounded by. There is some incredible talent amongst this group of women. Their dedication is admirable and keeps me going. Ultimately, we are our own little family and support each other like we’ve known each other for life.

What do you feel is your greatest achievement through rowing, be it accolades or something more?

I think my greatest achievement is learning to push the limits I thought I had. Whether it be an erg test or blade skills, rowing demands and expects those limits to be broken. It’s definitely something I could improve on, but learning to trust your body and not let your mind limit you is something I never knew I could do before rowing.

What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?

Schlepping a dyno up the M1 on a trailer for summer training and receiving a fair few glances.

What is your favourite sports quote?

“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift”. - Steve Prefontaine

What is your favourite movie about sports? Why?

The Blind Side. I think it epitomises the potential that sport has to bring people together and also reminds us of the way in which sport is a privilege to be grateful for.

How does being an athlete make you a better person?

I think specifically rowing, teaches selflessness and teamwork skills like nothing else in life. 8 individual rowers will not succeed. Success requires a degree of selflessness and an ability to see the bigger picture outside of your own input.

How would you describe the sport to a non-rower?

Tempo, tough hands and tan lines.

Why do you think someone outside of the sport can relate to your career as an athlete so far?

I think my rowing career is quite relatable because it’s a sport I fell into because it was the “thing to do at Oxford”. From there I stuck with it because of the friends I made that made training so enjoyable. Most people’s hobbies probably fall into these same stages.

What are your strengths, as a person and as an athlete?

Probably my ability to initially function on little sleep. It’s a skill that’s very compatible with early morning training before going back to bed before classes.

What do your friends think of your athletic success? How do you handle missing out on activities with friends because of your athletic schedule?

Everyone at Oxford is incredibly successful in anything they put their mind to, it’s a bit of a crazy place like that, but my non-rowing friends definitely cannot get on board with the early mornings and relentless hours of training. It can be tough when you feel that you can’t spend as much time with these friends as you would like, but ultimately our friends are supportive because they know how much it means to us. I also don’t think you notice what you are missing out on during the season because your life is so packed, and you are having so much fun and get to see your rowing friends multiple times a day.

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?

Outside of the season I love open water swimming, playing netball and travelling when I can with family and friends.