Get Faster: Rower Jake Cornelius

Jake Cornelius, '05, majored in mechanical engineering and works at Milestone Academic Counseling, which he co-founded. But this summer, all that takes a back seat to Jake the rower, as the former National Selection Regatta champion heads to London. Cornelius appears with Team USA in the men's eight on July 28.

Excerpts:


Your U.S. Rowing bio lists NASCAR as your favorite sport. What does a man whose sport conjures early mornings on serene water enjoy about the hurly burly of stock car racing?

It's a common misconception that rowing is peaceful and serene, because people associate those feelings with water. Competitive rowing is not the leisurely Sunday paddle that many people experience with recreational water sports. From inside the boat we rarely have time to enjoy our surroundings, because our attention is focused on getting faster. The physiological stress is considerable. The stakes are high, and we train accordingly.

The stakes are high in auto racing as well. I admire the dedication of drivers and their teams. There's a palpable drive to cross the line first, and it's impossible not to feel that in the final laps of the race. To consider the time, money and emotional effort that go into each race and to know that after 500 miles, the win might be decided by a few feet only makes the push to the line more fun to watch.

After Stanford, you attended Cambridge, where you participated in the Boat Race, the perennial contest against Oxford. How does that race compare to other pinnacle events you’ve been in? What’s it like to win?

The Boat Race is an event like no other. The scale of spectator involvement is unlike any race in the United States, and that was an element I hadn't experienced at the time. Unlike college rowing here, there is no "season" at Oxford and Cambridge, only a single race. This means there are limited opportunities to practice racing as a crew, and that heightens the pressure on race day. Even so, the essence of the sport is the same. After the race starts you are in familiar territory with a familiar goal: get in front and stay there.


Rowing looks like an anaerobic/aerobic torture fest. On the plus side, you probably eat whatever you like. What’s your dietary regimen going into a big race?

I wouldn't say I can eat whatever I like, but I will say that I'm never in danger of consuming too many calories. I need to eat as much as I can to fuel my training, but I do need to consider what types of foods I'm eating to make sure I'm getting enough nutrients. I will typically eat about five meals a day, with snacks around practice times. I make an effort to eat sufficient fruits, vegetables and protein. It's important to stay on top of hydration between practices, especially during hot weather.


Rowing is not a sport that promises great riches to go with the aforementioned pain. What keeps you going through the early mornings and constant practices?

Early mornings and daily routines are part of most people's lives, but few people have the chance to represent their country at the Olympics. It's a real honor to compete for the United States, and I take that responsibility seriously. We're working hard every day to get faster, and that's what gets us up in the morning.


Your classmate David Banks, ’05, MS ’05, is in the boat with you. What does it mean that 25 percent of the American eight is from Stanford?

David and I have been friends for a decade now. He has always pushed me to be better with his strong work ethic and relentless intensity. It's been a real privilege to train with him. The strength of Stanford rowing on the national team speaks to the undeniable leadership of our Stanford coach, Craig Amerkhanian. David and many other internationally competitive oarsmen took their first strokes with Craig. He's been an invaluable part of our lives ever since we first got on an ergometer at the Ford Center. It is no coincidence that a relatively small program at Stanford has produced athletes that go on to compete internationally. We would not be where we are today without the discipline, dedication and desire Craig instilled in us as developing athletes.