DURHAM, N.C. – Duke rowing head coach Megan Cooke Carcagno and the Blue Devils will welcome 11 incoming freshmen to the program in August. Tara Fagan will come to Duke from Annapolis, Md.
Check back to GoDuke.com throughout the coming weeks for profiles on each of the incoming Blue Devils, and be sure to follow the team all year on Twitter and Facebook.
Tara Fagan
Annapolis, Md. l Severn School
Prior to Duke: Fagan has been coxing at Annapolis Junior Rowing for five years and is the current team captain. She also earned four varsity letters as a swimmer at Severn.
What is your favorite rowing memory?
TF: The 2013 USRowing Youth Nationals (where she was a memeber of the men's V8 that took 12th place).
How did you get started in rowing?
TF: I started competitive club swimming at five years old. Around seventh grade, my height became a competitive disadvantage. I had swimming teammates who switched to rowing and they talked to me about becoming a coxswain. Since I love being on the water, it seemed like a natural fit.
Why did you choose Duke?
TF: Nobody needs to be sold on the school itself. What's not to love? Duke clearly made a big commitment to rowing with the new coaches and that was very exciting. Coaches Cooke Carcagno, Rodosky and Graham know how to win and I am so fired up about the direction of the team. I feel very fortunate to become a part of it.
What are your goals for your collegiate career?
TF: To attend law school and eventually go into the Navy JAG program.
Who has made the biggest impact on your life?
TF: My mother and grandfather
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
TF: Order of importance: Team, Boat, Self
Quick Hits:
Favorite athlete: Michael Phelps
Hobbies: Boating, paddleboarding, water skiing and swimming
If you were to play another sport, what would it be? Swimming
Family: Grandfather was a rower at the Naval Academy, and a 1957 graduate
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