Sophomore Summer: McKenzie Baylis of Women's Rowing

Throughout the summer, DartmouthSports.com will be focusing on members of the Class of 2021 who are currently in their "Sophomore Summers" presented by Cape Air.

This installment focuses on McKenzie Baylis, a member of the Big Green women's rowing team and a native of Tiburon, California.

DartmouthSports.com: What have you been doing during your sophomore summer?
McKenzie Baylis: Although it just began, I have had a great summer thus far. I am on the executive council for my sorority and I joined a dance group, so these two extracurriculars have been a blast. Rowing and lift just began again as well so juggling all of this and my three classes will be a little hard, but I trust that it will be tremendously fulfilling. In addition, we have an abbreviated schedule for rowing to fully immerse ourselves in sophomore summer, while still maintaining shape.

DS: What is your favorite place on campus?
MB: I think my favorite place on campus would have to be Collis Porch. Whether you are grabbing a meal with a friend, working on some homework or just chatting with a group of people, it is one of the happiest places on campus. When I walk outside Collis there is never a doubt in my mind that someone I know will be sitting there, eager to chat. It's such a fun social space to hang out, catch up, or talk with people who you perhaps have not seen in a while. Also, the view of the Green from Collis Porch is breathtaking.

DS: What would be your best advice to your 15-year-old self?
MB: Don't sweat the small stuff. The things that you are stressing over right now are not as big as they seem, everything will work out in the long run, and in 10 years you will be laughing about this.

DS: What was it in the recruiting process that sold you on Dartmouth?
MB: For me, visiting the campus and seeing the overall community was what sold me on committing to Dartmouth. I was contacted by the assistant coach around my junior summer. At the time, I had already narrowed my search to about five schools, but for some reason when the coaches here contacted me I was intrigued from the beginning. The coaches were so friendly through my various phone calls and implemented a super personal recruiting process. I think when I visited and saw the campus for myself that I truly fell in love with it here. My coach from high school used to say we would know when we were at the right school for us, because we would have "our moment" with a certain school. My official visit at Dartmouth was when I felt "my moment." The community on campus and within the team were both outstanding. I have never felt as welcomed or at home anywhere as I do here.

DS: If you could play another sport at Dartmouth, what would it be and why?
MB: This is a stretch for obvious reasons, but I would want to be a part of the football team. Aside from being a woman, I think it would be epic to be a part of the Dartmouth football team. They have such strong bonds and obvious connections within their team. I really respect how hard they each work and I believe they have pretty strong team values. We always compare ourselves to football because of the number of people on our team and on football. The camaraderie of their team is visible and something we strive to accomplish a lot within our own group.

DS: Outside of sports, what are you most passionate about?
MB: I am very passionate about making people smile and dancing. I love cracking jokes with my friends and I recently joined a dance group on campus. It has been incredible so far to dance with such experienced dancers and learn their craft.

DS: If you could swap places with one teammate, who would it be and why?
MB: I think I would probably switch places with Sophie Kwon. She is a '22 and an absolute dynamite. Sophie walked onto the rowing team and automatically stuck out. She rock climbed throughout high school and is on the climbing team here, which is incredible. One time as I was walking in front of Robo I overheard two people talking and the first guy said, "Oh do you know Sophie Kwon, she is like one of the best climbers I've ever seen." I have never actually seen her rock climb, but I don't doubt that this is 100% true. Sophie Kwon if you see this, I LOVE YOU.

DS: What has been your best on-field memory thus far in your Dartmouth career?
MB: Freshman year, our boat won the Princeton Chase, a fall race against teams like Princeton, Duke and Harvard. We beat crews that notoriously finish in the top-10 nationally, so it was awesome to win. In addition, as a class, the '21s are very close and we pride ourselves on our bond and strength in numbers (there are 18 of us). To win a race with some of your absolute best friends is a great feeling.

DS: Do you have a nickname on your team? Who gave it to you and why?
MB: The whole team calls me Julie. Maggie Stiefvater and Ciara Gaffney (Both '19s) coined the name after seeing the name on my locker was Julia, which is my legal first name, but everyone calls me by my middle name, McKenzie. They thought it was hysterical that my legal name was Julia and took to calling me Julie, and it stuck.

DS: Other than your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life?
MB: My siblings have definitely played a major role in shaping who I am. Our senses of humor are all so similar and we feed off of each other's energy. They know me better than anyone else in the world and know without my siblings, I can honestly say I would not be half the person I am today.

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