Kayla Yraceburu will never forget the thrill of rowing for America at the World University Games, in South Korea.
“It was a great experience to be able to compete at that level and represent the United States,” said the 22-year-old from Camas. “When I was at the starting line and they started naming off countries instead of schools, it was kind of exhilarating.”
Yraceburu and Elizabeth Matthews, teammates at Oklahoma City University, finished in 10th place in the women’s doubles sculls event with a 2,000-meter time of 7 minutes, 32.18 seconds.
“Back when we were freshmen, we joked about how fun it would be to row internationally,” Yraceburu said. “The fact that we actually got there is incredible. This is something we will cherish and remember forever.”
Yraceburu and Matthews earned third place in the first heat July 5, with a time of 7:30.56.
“When it was over, I felt like I had been hit by a train,” Yraceburu said.
She had a fever and a temperature above 100 degrees. There was talk of pulling her out of the competition.
“I almost cried,” Yraceburu said. “I didn’t come all the way to Korea to race just once.”
Yraceburu went back to her hotel room, rested and recovered. Her temperature returned to normal, and she was cleared to continue racing.
After getting off to a rocky start in their semifinal heat July 6, Yraceburu and Matthews settled for fifth place in 7:39.07. They finished in fourth place in the consolation finals July 7 (7:32.18).
“We were right behind the third place boat, and fifth place was way behind us,” Yraceburu said. “We were right where we belonged. It felt good to be able to leave Korea knowing I at least rowed up to my potential.”
Yraceburu doesn’t call herself a hero. She thinks anybody else in her position would have soldiered on even if they felt sick.
“Rowing is a grueling sport,” she said. “If you can’t deal with pain or discomfort, you’re not going to make it.”
When Yraceburu discovered rowing during her senior year at Camas High School, she never thought it would take her to Korea.
“I had every intent of just rowing for a few months and then going back to swimming,” she said. “I didn’t think this would take me anywhere beyond Vancouver Lake.
“It’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience. If you have the capability to go, you need to go,” Yraceburu added. “There’s no magic trick to it. At the end of the day, if you’re willing to work harder than the person next to you, you’re going to go faster.”
