Oakland Catholic grad Polk earns spot on Olympic rowing team

Oakland Catholic graduate Amanda Polk did a lot of soul searching about whether to continue her career after failing to make the U.S. Olympic rowing team in 2012.

But she decided to come back and it paid off with a berth on the eight, the largest of the six women's boats that will represent the United States at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro in August. She was named to the team last week.

“It is incredible, a dream come true,” said Polk, 29, of Bloomfield. “I am still trying to get it all together in one feeling, but there are just so many emotions.

“It is a surreal feeling. I am beyond excited about getting to compete in the eight with the strongest women in the world.”

Polk was an alternate on the 2012 team.

The eight is seeking a historic 11th consecutive victory in either the world championships or the Olympics, and Polk has been on many of those crews.

She won a gold medal at the 2015 World Rowing Championships in France, the fifth time she took first at that regatta since 2010.

She is ranked third among the top 10 female rowers by the World Rowing Federation, behind competitors from Great Britain and the U.S.

Women's national team coach Tom Terhaar admires Polk's determination.

“She had the right temperament (to come back),” said Terhaar, adding Polk was probably too young to make the Olympic squad four years ago. “(A lot of rowers) don't have that temperament.”

Terhaar said Polk was picked from a pool of about 24 to 28 candidates. She was part of a camp at the USRowing Training Center in Princeton, N.J.

Polk, who is 5-foot-11, began rowing in 2002 at Oakland Catholic. She graduated in 2004.

She went on to compete at Notre Dame, where she was a three-time Big East champion in the varsity eight and helped the Irish to their first NCAA championship meet bid.

She studied biochemistry.

Starting as a junior rower, she has been on various national teams since 2004.

Oakland Catholic athletic director Mary Pat Bielich said besides rowing, Polk started for the Eagles' basketball team.

“She was a phenomenal student and a phenomenal athlete,” Bielich said. “We are so thrilled for her and will be tuning in (to TV) to cheer her on to victory.”

Polk is one of two Oakland Catholic alumni who will compete at the Olympics.

Leah Smith has qualified in swimming.

Bielich said the private high school has about 540 students.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.