HIGH POINT, N.C. - For High Point University junior
Audrey Houle, the path to rowing began somewhere unexpected - on the track.
Houle arrived to High Point in 2023 as a walk-on distance runner, competing in cross country 5Ks and the mile during track season. But by the end of her freshman year, the sport that once defined her routine began to take a toll.
"Track had become very consuming of my life," Houle said. "I felt like it was taking a lot from me mentally and physically."
A turning point came during Fellowship of Christian Athletes, when a verse challenged her to reevaluate everything.
"That was really the moment I knew I was going to leave," Houle said. "It just summed up everything I had been feeling."
Without a clear plan, rowing wasn't an obvious next step. Still, after encouragement from family and classmates, she decided to give it a try and quickly realized how different it was.
"I expected the physical demands," she said, "but I didn't expect how technical it is or how much focus it takes to be perfectly in sync with your boat. It's truly such a team sport."
Drawing on the endurance and mental toughness she built as a runner, Houle began to adjust, and by her second race, something clicked.
"That's when I was fully bought in," she said. "The team aspect and the community really sold me."
By the spring of 2025, Houle was already in head coach
Jessica Deitrick's varsity boats racing in all four regattas that spring season. At the end of the season last year, Houle, alongside seven other members of the women's rowing team were named to the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete list. Not only does Houle perform on the water, but she really puts an emphasis on her work in the classroom as she looks to graduate HPU in just three years.
Now serving as a captain in her second full season with the team, Houle has grown into both her role and the sport.
"I've learned a new sense of discipline and what it means to lead with humility and serve my teammates," she said.
As High Point is in the midst of its first conference championship season, Houle remains focused on steady growth.
"I just want to keep building every day and support my team the best I can," she said.
In a journey that started with uncertainty, has now led her exactly to where she needs to be. And that is captaining High Point University to a Mid-American Conference championship this spring.
#GoHPU x #BUILD
