Lehigh rowing seniors reflect on careers

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh rowing program features five seniors (three women's and two men's) who have made strong impacts on the Mountain Hawks' success over the past four years. Together, they have helped get Lehigh to the next level. Lehighsports.com caught up with the five seniors after the men wrapped up their season at the Dad Vail Regatta and before the women cap off their year at the Patriot League Championship.

Jenny DiPietro – Huntingdon Valley, Pa. – Marketing
What's your favorite Lehigh Rowing memory up until this point?
JD: Patriots my sophomore year. The Varsity Eight made it to grand finals for the first time in years and we walked through Bucknell in the sprint. That was the first time we started to see our hard work pay off and the year we finally started to believe we could compete with the top Patriot League schools.

How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
JD: Although I may not be here when the team does win a Patriot League Championship, I want that team and every other Lehigh rower to know that I was a part of the change that got us there.

Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JD: We're the last ones standing. Liz, Sara and I have been through it all together. I have lived with Liz for two years now so I truly can't ever get away from her (just kidding; I like her also she makes really good chicken parm). But, I think the three of us have built a strong relationship this year being captains and realizing how strong of an impact we have all made on this team.

What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JD: Everyone said it would go by fast. I never believed them. But it really did go by fast. I've been rowing or training for rowing year-round for the past eight years, so I don't remember how it feels not to have to think about rowing every day. It will be interesting.

What will you miss most about Lehigh and Lehigh Rowing?
JD: I'll definitely miss Titan (Coach Conley's dog) a lot. I'll probably miss my friends, too but I can talk to them on the phone and stuff. Titan doesn't have a phone so that'll be tough.

What would you say to a Lehigh student interested in Lehigh Rowing who may be interested in joining the team?
JD: It will be the most challenging and demanding years you'll experience. You'll definitely question why you're putting yourself through it all and even consider quitting a few times. In the end, it will turn out to be the most rewarding four years of your life.

What are your postgraduate plans?
JD: I hope to find a job in Marketing in the Philly area. Hit me up if you want to hire me. :)

Elizabeth Gagliardi – Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – Environmental Studies
What's your favorite Lehigh Rowing memory up until this point?
EG: One of my favorite Lehigh Rowing memories is from my junior year when we scrimmaged Bucknell. They had beaten us at Patriots the previous year, and we were really unsure how things would go since we were coming off of a full day of racing the day before. We did a series of five-minute pieces and beat them on every piece. Bucknell is a team that has historically been a lot faster than us, so to realize that not only could we hang with them, but even beat them felt like a real turning point for our team. They ended up beating us at Patriots later that year, but since the scrimmage, I think that the team realized that we are fast and getting faster. We no longer view faster teams as unbeatable or as doing something that we can't aspire to achieve ourselves. Though we haven't arrived at "championship culture" quite yet, we're a heck of a lot closer now than we were just a few years ago and looking back our scrimmage against Bucknell stands out as a turning point and a clear marker of the progress we've made.

How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
EG: I would like to be remembered as someone who pushed myself and my team to be better every day, someone who was unafraid of a challenge, and someone my teammates could depend on. During my four years, the team's culture has undergone a lot of change and I would like to think that the work I've put in has contributed to how much things have improved. There's still work to be done, but I hope that I have left a legacy of leadership that inspires my teammates who will be here another one, two or three years to keep setting big goals, putting in the work to achieve them, and supporting one another through that process since it is never an easy one.

Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
EG: Jenny, Sara and I have been through so much together. During our four years, the team has changed and grown a lot and I think we all have too. I've always been able to count on Jenny to keep things fun and to remind me not to take everything so seriously, and Sara is one of the toughest competitors and hardest workers I know. It's been an honor to serve as co-captain with these ladies and I have a tremendous amount of respect for both of them.

What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
EG: It's difficult to imagine my life without rowing, and the thought of it makes me sad especially since it's been such a huge part of my identity for a very long time. This sport will always be a part of who I am, but I'm also very excited for the next chapter and the chance to get to explore who I am apart from being an athlete. The past four years were rewarding, but also incredibly challenging at times and I can remember questioning if any of this was even worth it. As it comes to an end, I can say that it was worth it, and I'm very grateful for the ups and downs and how much I have grown along with this team.

What will you miss most about Lehigh and Lehigh Rowing?
EG: I'm going to miss the people that have become my family over the past four years and the chance to go to practice every day and work really hard with them. It's not always easy to remember when we're going through it, but having the opportunity to practice and compete together really is such a privilege. Rowing is a unique sport, and there's nothing quite like being in an eight where everyone is pulling for each other and moving as one. Being a member of this team and competing, racing and just hanging out is something I'm going to miss very much.

What would you say to a Lehigh student interested in Lehigh Rowing who may be interested in joining the team?
EG: Being a part of any successful team requires self-sacrifice and a lot of hard work. It's a big commitment, it's challenging and you'll be really tired most of the time. You'll have to show up and work hard on the good days and the bad, and with little recognition along the way. There's not really an "offseason," but, if you are up for the challenge it will undoubtedly make you stronger both physically and mentally. You will form strong and meaningful relationships with teammates who push you to be your best. Rowing isn't easy, but that's part of what makes it so rewarding. If you're willing to put the work in, what you get out of being a member of this team will be so worth it.

What are your postgraduate plans?
EG: I'll be moving to Philadelphia in the fall where I'll be pursing a Master's in City Planning at UPenn. I also hope to find some time to train for a marathon.

Sara Salvo – Upper Falls, Md. – Political Science
What's your favorite Lehigh Rowing memory up until this point?
SS: My favorite Lehigh Rowing memory up until this point is definitely beating Bucknell's 2V by .004 of a second to secure some of the program's first medals. The boat that did it together had such a special level of trust and a work ethic that it made coming to practice every day the highlight of my days. Pulling out a third-place finish really made every stroke that we put into the entire year, and even the training from over the summer, feel worth it. I don't think I've ever cried more happy tears in my life.

How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
SS: I would like to be remembered as someone who worked hard and led by example. I made a conscious effort in my time here to prioritize academics and a good sleep schedule in conjunction with rowing. I hope that my legacy at Lehigh is one that the underclassmen can look up to. I'm pretty close with this year's freshman class and I'm confident they'll go on to do big things. I can't wait to watch it happen and I want them to know I'm always here as a resource for them, even after graduating.

Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
SS: We definitely have a different connection than seniors in past years. We've been through a lot together and when push comes to shove, I know that we're all confident that we can count on each other to have one another's backs. I would say that we all have different leadership styles, but we've learned how to make it work and at the end of the day, there's no doubt that we have a lot of respect for one another as teammates.

What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
SS: I have an interesting mix of nostalgia and excitement as I near the end of my career. I'm definitely noticing some of the "lasts" as they pass me by and feeling sad about it. At the same time, I know that there's still work to be done and practices to put in in order to perform our best at Patriots this year. I haven't really had the time to sit back and reflect on the last four years too much, but I'm certain that after Patriots when I have a minute to breathe, all of the emotions will hit me at once.

What will you miss most about Lehigh and Lehigh Rowing?
SS: I think what I'll miss the most is having a built-in support system constantly surrounding me. Whether I needed someone to laugh with, a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand to proofread a paper or just someone to do weird things with, my teammates were always there. There's such a special relationship that comes from putting in so many hours of hard work together.

What would you say to a Lehigh student interested in Lehigh Rowing who may be interested in joining the team?
SS: It's a really special team, but it's definitely not for everyone. You have to be willing to work hard every single day and make sacrifices in order to hit your goals. However, if you're goal-oriented and eager to put in work, Lehigh Rowing is a place where you will excel and find a space for a lot of personal growth and you should absolutely consider joining.

What are your postgraduate plans?
SS: After graduation I'm excited to take one giant break before diving back into a lot of hard work. As of right now, I'm planning on taking a trip to Europe and then living at the beach for the rest of the summer. In August, I'll be starting my 1L year at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law where I was fortunate enough to receive a full scholarship. I'm hoping to concentrate in criminal law and couldn't be more ecstatic to start working towards achieving a goal I've had since I was five years old.

Paul Grocholske – Armonk, N.Y. – Computer Science & Business, and Finance
What's your favorite Lehigh Rowing memory up until this point?
PG: I've always looked back fondly at our winter training camps. It was nice to be able to be able to focus solely on giving everything at practice and then recovering for the next one. As we were among the very few people on campus, they were also always a great time for the team to bond together socially. If I had to choose one specific time, it would probably be the camp my freshman year, but that may just be nostalgia kicking in.

How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
PG: I'd like to be remembered as someone who gave consistent effort to both athletics and academics. I hope to serve as an example of how one can balance their priorities as a Lehigh student-athlete.

Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
PG: I have really enjoyed the time I've spent with my fellow seniors. The women are great leaders for their squad, and it's been cool seeing them grow as athletes through the years. As for Dan, rowing has served as a catalyst for a great friendship. Our mutual drive to become "the next Brett Ley" has compelled us to stay committed to the team. In the future, I'm sure people will occasionally be able to find us at the Wise Bean between 7 and 10 a.m.

What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
PG: It's been fun, but I'm excited to find out what to do with all my newfound free time. After a few days off, I'm going to start training for ultramarathons. I also plan on improving my cooking skills; I want to learn how to make a mean sourdough.

What will you miss most about Lehigh and Lehigh Rowing?
PG: I've got another year at Lehigh, so we'll have to wait and see on the first point. As for Lehigh Rowing, I'll miss the structure it gave my life, and the camaraderie that spending so much time together builds among the team.

What would you say to a Lehigh student interested in Lehigh Rowing who may be interested in joining the team?
PG: Being on the team will force you to have good time management if you want to be academically successful. That's a good thing; time management skills are invaluable in the workplace and in life. You'll also learn how to push yourself through all sorts of discomfort, which I'm sure is a useful ability to have. You'll have some fun times and meet some great people along the way.

What are your postgraduate plans?
PG: I will be returning to Amazon this summer for a second Software Development Engineering Internship. After that, I'll be back at Lehigh to pursue an MS in Computer Science.

Daniel Lindsey – Hershey, Pa. – Materials Science and Engineering
What's your favorite Lehigh Rowing memory up until this point?
DL: One of my favorite memories was the first time I remember rowing by all eight on the feather where the boat was set, not just for a few consecutive strokes, but to the point where I was convinced we all had really figured it out! It was a warm fall evening, so it was dark and the safety lights on either end of the boat were glowing on the glassy water. I don't know if it was the darkness or the nostalgia of memory, but what I remember is the sound of the oars, sleeves click-clacking in the oarlocks, an even, patient roll up the slide and unified movement as we effortlessly glided over the water. Then someone caught a digger and crabbed.

How would you like to be remembered? What legacy would you like to leave at Lehigh?
DL: I just want to be remembered at the kid who challenged the way everyone thinks –as the one who wouldn't just agree without first asking why and if it was reasonable and worthwhile. It seems I'll forever be remembered by folks for the way I rode my longboard around campus dodging cars and people with an almost doesn't count attitude.

Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
DL: The men's senior class, I'm convinced has the largest per capita personality than any other subset or class of rowers. While we represent a solid two people on the team, we've managed to stick through rowing all four years likely because of our cynical way of accepting the challenges that abide in rowing. Some of the best days were Saturday morning practices where we had already been awake and out on the town to fetch some breakfast from The People's Kitchen or coffee from The Joint. Generally, these types of days were the best days, particularly in senior year.

What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
DL: As the end of college approaches, I've experienced more stress that ever before as plans remain un-finalized, parking tickets surmount unpaid, overdue homeworks ruminate undone, jobs are lined up but what's this? Now I have to move, find a place to live, begin a livelihood! There is always stress when either all doors are closed or when multiple doors are open and you're not sure which to go through. I'm lucky to find myself in the latter circumstance, though the real stress and worry comes from the uncertainty of each option and how drastically my life will be forever shaped by the path I choose.

What will you miss most about Lehigh and Lehigh Rowing?
DL: Being in college is a liberating experience, where as time passes, I have found more and more new ways to crack the shell I grew up in and learn how to fly, sometimes more with a nudge and sometimes because I'm ready to take a chance. As I prepare to graduate, there is no more learning to be done. There are no more exams, no more homeworks that I can turn in a week late and only lose 10 percent off the grade. Certainly I'll miss this aspect of college – the learning environment where mistakes can be made and lessons can be learned without substantial repercussions. As far as rowing goes, right now I'm the most fit and athletic that I have ever been in my life. I don't wish for this to change, but I also won't have four hours blocked out of each day for a full press workout. I'll undoubtedly miss this dopamine rush of athleticism.

What would you say to a Lehigh student interested in Lehigh Rowing who may be interested in joining the team?
DL: The best advice I can give is to actively find things to do with your time in addition to rowing that do not detract from the sport, but rather add value and provide alternative perspectives on your time at Lehigh. Get off campus as often as possible. Explore the North Side. Bring a teammate along. Find ways to connect with teammates that don't have to do with rowing, and then the trust will be there when it comes time for practice.

What are your postgraduate plans?
DL: I'll be working at NAVAIR, or Naval Air Systems Command, which provides material support for naval aircraft and aircraft carriers. Interestingly, the cohort of materials scientists working for NAVAIR will contain not one, but two Lehigh rowers once I begin work. I've also been accepted to a graduate program here at Lehigh, but that might just have to simmer on the back burner until everything else settles.

Upcoming Event: Women's Rowing versus Patriot League Championships on May 15, 2026

Completed Event: Women's Rowing at Colgate on May 2, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing at Lake Wheeler Invite on April 24, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing at Knecht Cup on April 11, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing at Drexel and George Washington on April 4, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing versus Mountain Hawk Invite on March 28, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing versus Class Day Regatta on November 1, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Women's Rowing at Head of the Schuylkill on October 25, 2025 ,

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Jenny DiPietro

Elizabeth Gagliardi

Paul Grocholske

Brett Ley

Daniel Lindsey

Sara Salvo

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