Jordan Schwenneker Celebrating 25 years

Horizon High School freshman weightlifter Jordan Schwenneker recently was crowned the girls weightlifting Class 2A, District 8 champion in the Olympic Division during the districts championship meet. Schwenneker lifted 115 pounds in snatch and 140 pounds in clean and jerk, for a total of 255 pounds.

Tell us about becoming district champion.

It was awesome, really. This was my first time ever competing in high school, so getting to that level my first year was really cool. I’ve been training since I was 8 years old, so it’s taken a long of time and a lot of work. I went to every practice I could make — just a constant hour-and-a-half or two after school lifting, working. It was lots of hard work and focus.

Why weightlifting?

I thought about doing CrossFit, but the competitions were really hard … because you are competing against girls your age, and I was one of the smaller kids. Weightlifting is based on weight, so I started competing and realized it was more about technique and not strength.

What do you love most about weightlifting as a sport?

I love the environment and the people; it’s my favorite thing about it. Everyone is cheering everyone else on, and it doesn’t matter what school you are from. Everyone has (one another’s) backs.

What do you believe weightlifting has taught you not only in the weight room but also outside of it?

It really shows you that being a good teammate can get you pretty far. Supporting your teammates and working hard at the gym, it helps you a lot.

Do you have a favorite lift to do at practice?

I really just love squatting. Squatting is great; it does a lot.

What do you think makes you a unique weightlifter?

I think that probably the age I started and what I’m doing. I think one thing in weightlifting that happens a lot is that you get so involved in the sport that you don’t do anything else outside of school. … I like the fact that weightlifting isn’t my whole life, it’s just something I love doing to stay healthy and strong.

How do you believe you instill leadership in your team?

I think that I definitely will take steps back from whatever I’m doing to help anyone that asks (for help).

What’s your favorite hobby?

I love lifting, but I also have a horse (JJ) and love hanging out with him.

What do you like to do on the weekends?

I actually mostly spend my week ends catching up on notes, then my horse and weightlifting.

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?

A good book, a pot to cook with and some matches.

What’s your favorite movie? “Twister.” I was obsessed with it when I was a kid; I think it’s a fantastic movie.

THE BASICS

AGE: 14

SPORT: Weightlifting, Bowling

MOVE: The Knee Drop

GRADE: Freshman WEIGHT CATEGORY: 119 pounds

SCHOOL: Horizon

What TV series are you watching right now?

“The Last of Us.” This is going to sound really nerdy, but I can appreciate the fact that the back story behind the zombies is somewhat scientific; it’s a natural fungus.

Who’s your favorite superhero?

Why?

Probably Wonder Woman. I … think she’s great and her backstory and upbringing (are) cool.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?

I feel like super strength is fitting for this. I would win districts again (with it).

What are three places you’d like to visit? Why?

I love the redwoods in California; I’d like to go there again. I like Blue Ridge in Georgia, and I really want to go to Scotland.

Which one would you choose: Instagram, BeReal or TikTok?

TikTok; I’m on it the most. I don’t have BeReal. I’m not on Instagram that much.

If you could go back in time to a specific period of history, when would it be and why?

Late 1800s/early 1900s. I I really like the style of clothing and just what they did (back then). It was before modern technology and very live-off-the-land.

What color would you say represents your personality?

It varies from day to day. Sometimes, I’m a purple person, sometimes I wake up and I’m like, “This is so gray.” I’m feeling green right now, a happy green.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why?

A bird; I just want to know what it’s like just to fly around,

— ANDREA MUJICA

OARS OPPORTUNITIES

Anderson said OARS is a unique program compared to other rowing organizations because of its small-town character.

“We’re hidden and kind of tucked away here in Windermere,” she said. “The community is very supportive of us. So many children have gone through our program that it’s very easy to encounter someone who has been involved directly or indirectly. We just absolutely love being here. We have this gorgeous Chain of Lakes, which is just beautiful and precious to us, to help take care of and make sure it’s here forever. It provides something so unique that may not be available to everyone.”

OARS has developed into a true team throughout the years.

There are about 40 to 50 competitive rowing teams in Florida, and many more across the country, and Anderson believes OARS has risen to be one of the most ambitious programs in the South.

“Competitive-wise, what we have done is become a recognizable force,” she said. “There are many different types of categories … but we are usually within the top three when we compete at states and regionals as a whole team.”

In Anderson’s early years of OARS, the Winter Park team was always one the group wanted to beat, and she remembers the exact boat of girls who had “so much fun” beating them. The major accomplishment allowed the athletes to realize they could overcome even the most difficult of obstacles.

Anderson also has had several athletes go on to earn scholarships or coach at elite colleges such as Yale, Princeton, Alabama and Purdue.

She has guided a few athletes on the junior national team and even watched world records be broken.

Christine Cavallo broke two world records on the rowing machine while she was at OARS and went on to row for Stanford and the national team.

“To just see kids continuing on with the sport even after OARS is incredible,” she said. “The kids that figure out that they just love to row, no matter who it’s for and where they are, are the ones I’m most proud of.”

Anderson said OARS has a wonderful parent board of directors and outstanding support, but there is quite a bit of financial stress on families because rowing is an expensive sport.

The ability for the program to obtain donors or financial endowments would ease economic stress with boats costing $40,000 each, the fee of traveling for regattas and allowing the organization the ability to pay their coaches more to maximize maintaining individuals with experience.

In addition, Anderson would like to have a structure or find a local warehouse for the rowing machines and for strength conditioning, which would be especially useful during the unpredictable and hot local weather conditions.

Finally, Anderson said she would love for more people to try the sport out.

“The sense of being a part of this community that I grew up in and giving back is just so important to me,” she said. “The rowing community is so close and connected that I have friends across the country thanks to this sport. If anyone ever questions whether to try it or not, I always say try it because you can gain lifelong relationships.”

Boating Beginning

Born in Chicago, Anderson moved to Central Florida about three months after and was raised in the Dr. Phillips area for the majority of her life. She still lives in her same childhood home today.

Even before she began rowing, Anderson grew up on and around the water as a swimmer and water skier.

She joined the Dr. Phillips High rowing team the year the school opened and the program was created. Anderson went on to earn a rowing scholarship to the Florida Institute of Technology, from which she graduated with a degree in marine biology.

After competing as a collegiate athlete, she decided to take a break from rowing and pursue a career in education.

Less than a year after she started teaching, a friend’s parent who was involved with OARS called Anderson after the coach had quit unexpectedly.

Although Anderson said she made it clear she wanted to coach the men’s team not the women’s team, the organization felt she would be a better match for the women’s team.

Looking back 25 years later, the women’s team ended up being Anderson’s bread and butter for a majority of her years.

During the day, Anderson taught at Gotha Middle School before coming to OARS.

“It went hand-in-hand with teaching,” she said. “It was a great fit to be able to teach. … I got hooked and loved it. Next thing you know, it’s been 25 years.”

More Information

Website: oarsrowing.com

Email: info@oarsrowing.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ oars1987