Washington Rowing Star Ryan Martin Talks Championships & Team USA

0:00 — Maddie Byrd Welcomes Ryan Martin
Maddie sits down with University of Washington rowing senior Ryan Martin to talk about his journey from Newport Sea Base high school to championship racing.

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1:10 — Rowing Beginnings
Ryan shares his start in rowing at Pacifica Christian, the decision between playing sports in college, and how an invite from Washington sealed his commitment.

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4:30 — Breaking Down a Quad Scull
Ryan explains the makeup of a four-man boat—no coxswain, two oars per rower—and what makes it unique in competitive rowing.

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6:10 — Freshman Year at Washington
Ryan reflects on his standout freshman season, the grind and growth that comes with it, and how the experience brought him closer to his teammates. He never once doubted his commitment to the sport.

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9:00 — Setting the Stroke Seat for a Championship
Ryan talks about taking the stroke seat this past spring at the IRA Championship, racing alongside friends and a boat full of talented teammates. The result? A championship win.

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10:10 — Competing for Team USA U23
Fresh off competing in Poland, Ryan details how former coach Sergio Espinoza encouraged him to take the opportunity. He describes the intense selection process—one to one and a half weeks of boat trials followed by high-stakes time trials where only the fastest advanced.

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15:00 — Senior Year Motivation
Looking ahead to his final season, Ryan is fired up for tryouts and ready to lead a talented senior class into one last push for success.

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Thanks to Ryan Martin for sharing his journey—from Pacifica Christian to Washington and Nationals—and giving us a look inside the mindset of an elite rower heading into his final year. Thank you to host Maddie Byrd for another great episode!