By now, the end of the semester is closing in, and everyone is feeling worn down by the daily grind. It’s safe to say that most students are ready for a break from the rigors of the school year.

What better break could then be devised than a trip home to spend a weekend doing what you love?

For senior Ariel Delgado, this is exactly the break she experienced, as she travelled to her hometown this weekend to compete in the San Diego Crew Classic.

The Radcliffe heavyweight crew team raced its varsity eight and second varsity eight in the regatta, and both teams fought off strong competition to reach their respective final races on Sunday. The varsity eight finished fifth, and Delgado rowed with the second varsity eight to secure a sixth-place finish.

“It was really special [being in San Diego],” Delgado said. “It was really exciting to race in front of my family. They’d never seen me race before.”

According to Black and White assistant coach Cory Bosworth, also special is the unique presence that Delgado has on the team.

“One of the reasons I love coaching is because I get to meet people like Ariel,” Bosworth emphasized. “She’s a positive person, an incredibly hard worker, a loyal and great teammate and a great all-around athlete,” she added.

Good friend and teammate Carolyn Talley also had nothing but glowing praise for Delgado.

“We’ve been in the same boat basically every year,” Talley explained. “She’s a very motivating person to have in your boat. She motivates herself and then goes beyond to motivate other people. She’s a great leader to have on the team,” the junior added.

Interestingly enough, Delgado had no experience with crew prior to coming to Harvard.

“I hadn’t ever heard of it or seen it before I walked on,” she admitted.

In her freshman year, Delgado earned a varsity letter and “Rookie of the Year” honors on the women’s water polo team as starting goalkeeper.

But midway into her sophomore year, on the suggestion of friends from the crew team, Delgado decided to see what Radcliffe was all about.

“I went in and never turned back,” she said.

In her rookie season, Delgado finished in the top boat for her level—a testament to her impressive athleticism and determination.