Rowing steers Sweet’s pursuit of discipline and opportunity

Garrett Larsen ‘27

A kid from landlocked Omaha, Nebraska, wouldn’t seem like a natural fit for competitive rowing. But Quincy Sweet ’26 has turned that unlikely beginning into national-level success on the water.

Sweet’s journey into rowing started almost by chance. While visiting New York for his brother’s college, his family rented a small boat in Central Park. After his dad encouraged him to explore professional rowing, Sweet decided to give it a shot back in Arizona. “At first, it was just something fun,” Sweet said. “But over time, it became my main sport.”

Since then, Sweet has built an impressive resume. As a freshman, he earned a team award for fastest rower. As a sophomore, he received more recognition for his performances. More recently, he placed third at the Southwest Regionals and tenth at Nationals. Last summer, his boats finished second in both the eight and four events at Youth Summer Nationals in Philadelphia. Sweet hopes to row in college and aims to compete in two more national championships before he graduates.

Despite his busy rowing schedule, Sweet finds time for other interests. He participates in journalism at Brophy, enjoys biking, and even plays guitar. Balancing school and training is tough, so he makes sure to finish his homework during the day to dedicate his evenings to rowing.

For Sweet, rowing is not just about results; it’s also about the lessons learned and the community it fosters. “You get out what you put in,” Sweet said, describing the thrill of racing and the importance of his teammates. His rowing journey has already taken him to Long Beach, Northern California, Florida, and Philadelphia. He looks forward to even more opportunities that the sport will bring in the future.