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Duke Rowing Recruit Spotlight: Noelle Fuchs
2/12/2021 1:28:00 PM | Rowing
DURHAM, N.C. – Head Coach Megan Cooke Carcagno and the Duke rowing program are pleased to announce the addition of Noelle Fuchs, who will suit up for the Blue Devils in the 2021-22 season.
A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Fuchs currently attends Webb School and is a member of the Atomic Rowing Club. She is serving as a team captain this season after gaining a wealth of experience in southeastern competitions over the last two years, including a second-place finish with Atomic's U17 8+ crew at the 2019 USRowing Southeast Regional Championships. Her performance there paved way for a fifth-place showing at the 2019 U17 National Championships. At the 2020 Secret City Head Race in Oak Ridge, Tenn., Fuchs helped her 2-, 4+ and 8+ boats take first place in each race.
Fuchs is also a member of Webb's track & field team, which she competes for in the discus, high jump and shot put. A versatile athlete, she lettered two years as a left midfielder in soccer and won the Tennessee State Championship in basketball in 2018. She became a member of the National Honors Society as a junior.
The daughter of Sheila and Ron Fuchs, Noelle also has one sister, Charlotte.
What is your favorite rowing memory?
NF: I have had so many positive experiences throughout my time rowing, but one of my favorites is when my team held our own 'regatta' called the Clinch River Cup. We were split into teams and competed against each other in a multitude of erg relays, circuits and mixed boat races on the water. Everyone was yelling and cheering their teammates on. The energy in the boathouse was unlike anything I'd experienced so far. It was a moment that made me realize that one of the best parts of rowing is your team and the people that push you to get stronger and faster.
How did you get started in rowing?
NF: My twin sister convinced me to join after her first season. It was a sport I had so little knowledge of but I quickly realized it was everything I was looking for. After having participated in basketball, track & field, soccer and swimming, I was ready to try a new sport. Ultimately, I was surprised at how much progress I was able to make in just one season. Rowing is anything but a sport of instant gratification, yet I was encouraged by the idea of being able to excel and improve through hard work and with the help of my coaches. What kept me rowing was not only my progress but the unique team atmosphere and supportiveness that existed among my teammates.
Why did you choose to row for Duke?
NF: There is not just one reason that I chose Duke. From the moment I arrived on campus, I noticed the deep-rooted passion that the students have for the university. What stood out to me most was the emphasis that was placed on the importance of balance between a successful athletic career and excelling academically. There are so many opportunities at Duke for me to develop my career path and incorporate an interdisciplinary approach to my studies. I'm looking forward to the lifelong memories that I will make while being surrounded by a group of equally motivated and encouraging teammates. Duke really is the best of both worlds.
What impact do you plan to have in your four years?
NF: I plan to not just be a part of a winning team, but to be racing in the top boats that qualify for, and do well at, the NCAA Championships. I aspire to help build the team up, and become a leader, as I help continue to push the program to the top by continuous improvement. At the same time, I hope to be very involved in the team and participate in creating relationships with every athlete on and off the water so that the team culture that currently exists can persist.
What stuck out to you about the team in your decision-making process?
NF: After visiting the team and being able to spend time with some of the rowers, what really stuck out to me was how they talked about each other. It was so obvious that they truly do support each other and show up for each other in all possible situations. Each athlete was so open to answer questions as they spoke about their teammates in such an endearing way that made it easy for me to make the decision to commit. I cannot wait to be a part of a group of athletes that encourage each other so much to accomplish their goals (academically and athletically), fully aware that a teammates' success is indicative of the entire team's success.
What was something about Duke/Durham that surprised you?
NF: Before visiting, I had anticipated that the atmosphere on campus would be ultra-competitive and almost cutthroat, but I was pleased to see the supportive nature among the students and faculty. Everyone made it clear that there are plenty of opportunities to receive academic support and that the environment is helpful and collaborative. I was also pretty surprised by all the great food options in Durham!
#GoDuke
A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Fuchs currently attends Webb School and is a member of the Atomic Rowing Club. She is serving as a team captain this season after gaining a wealth of experience in southeastern competitions over the last two years, including a second-place finish with Atomic's U17 8+ crew at the 2019 USRowing Southeast Regional Championships. Her performance there paved way for a fifth-place showing at the 2019 U17 National Championships. At the 2020 Secret City Head Race in Oak Ridge, Tenn., Fuchs helped her 2-, 4+ and 8+ boats take first place in each race.
Fuchs is also a member of Webb's track & field team, which she competes for in the discus, high jump and shot put. A versatile athlete, she lettered two years as a left midfielder in soccer and won the Tennessee State Championship in basketball in 2018. She became a member of the National Honors Society as a junior.
The daughter of Sheila and Ron Fuchs, Noelle also has one sister, Charlotte.
What is your favorite rowing memory?
NF: I have had so many positive experiences throughout my time rowing, but one of my favorites is when my team held our own 'regatta' called the Clinch River Cup. We were split into teams and competed against each other in a multitude of erg relays, circuits and mixed boat races on the water. Everyone was yelling and cheering their teammates on. The energy in the boathouse was unlike anything I'd experienced so far. It was a moment that made me realize that one of the best parts of rowing is your team and the people that push you to get stronger and faster.
How did you get started in rowing?
NF: My twin sister convinced me to join after her first season. It was a sport I had so little knowledge of but I quickly realized it was everything I was looking for. After having participated in basketball, track & field, soccer and swimming, I was ready to try a new sport. Ultimately, I was surprised at how much progress I was able to make in just one season. Rowing is anything but a sport of instant gratification, yet I was encouraged by the idea of being able to excel and improve through hard work and with the help of my coaches. What kept me rowing was not only my progress but the unique team atmosphere and supportiveness that existed among my teammates.
Why did you choose to row for Duke?
NF: There is not just one reason that I chose Duke. From the moment I arrived on campus, I noticed the deep-rooted passion that the students have for the university. What stood out to me most was the emphasis that was placed on the importance of balance between a successful athletic career and excelling academically. There are so many opportunities at Duke for me to develop my career path and incorporate an interdisciplinary approach to my studies. I'm looking forward to the lifelong memories that I will make while being surrounded by a group of equally motivated and encouraging teammates. Duke really is the best of both worlds.
What impact do you plan to have in your four years?
NF: I plan to not just be a part of a winning team, but to be racing in the top boats that qualify for, and do well at, the NCAA Championships. I aspire to help build the team up, and become a leader, as I help continue to push the program to the top by continuous improvement. At the same time, I hope to be very involved in the team and participate in creating relationships with every athlete on and off the water so that the team culture that currently exists can persist.
What stuck out to you about the team in your decision-making process?
NF: After visiting the team and being able to spend time with some of the rowers, what really stuck out to me was how they talked about each other. It was so obvious that they truly do support each other and show up for each other in all possible situations. Each athlete was so open to answer questions as they spoke about their teammates in such an endearing way that made it easy for me to make the decision to commit. I cannot wait to be a part of a group of athletes that encourage each other so much to accomplish their goals (academically and athletically), fully aware that a teammates' success is indicative of the entire team's success.
What was something about Duke/Durham that surprised you?
NF: Before visiting, I had anticipated that the atmosphere on campus would be ultra-competitive and almost cutthroat, but I was pleased to see the supportive nature among the students and faculty. Everyone made it clear that there are plenty of opportunities to receive academic support and that the environment is helpful and collaborative. I was also pretty surprised by all the great food options in Durham!
#GoDuke
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