“It is a pleasure to row with [Stone],” Braithwaite said. “She still has the beautiful rhythm and grace of the rowing stroke. And she has a very feisty, competitive spirit.”
Stone’s success doesn’t come from endless hours of training as much as natural talent and determination. Her schedule of working at OWRC two days a week, and its location an hour away from her home in Palo Alto, limits her ability to get on the water and practice.
“I haven’t had as much time on the water this year as I would have liked,” she said. “In the summertime, the fog and wind comes into the San Francisco Bay, so not every day was right for rowing. I have been out the last four weekends getting my stroke all lined up.”
Though Stone has traditionally relied on others for advice on the water, recently her guidance has spread to technology through the Apple application, “Coach’s Eye,” that comes on her iPad while she skulls. While she is in the Boston area, the Cambridge Rowing Club takes her in, lets her train, and even lends her a boat.
What guides her on race day, however, are the voices and cheers from above.
“Support on the shore from fellow rowers and spectators are the true inspiration,” Stone said. “They look down from that bridge and they yell, ‘Hey Mary Liz!’ and it means a lot.”
In addition to the support she receives, Stone keeps coming back for her love of the sport. Back home at the OWRC, she admits there never is a dull day.
Wadsworth Stone traces his sister’s love for rowing back to their father, who was on the Columbia crew team. Braithwaite believes it has more to do with her raw determination.
“She wants to keep on being an alive and vital person,” Braithwaite said. “A lot of older people come to give up when they meet adversity that comes with aging, but she just keeps on going. It’s part of what keeps her alive.”
Whatever may be the motivation, Stone continues to impress everyone she meets with her fearless dedication and strength.
“She is just a great inspiration to a lot of us,” Braithwaite said. “Her generosity is also something that needs to be admired because she is always willing to help people and make their experience on the water better.”
—Staff writer Tanner Skenderian can be reached at tannerskenderian@gmail.com.