Throughout the summer, NBC is featuring the stories of Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico in a series called Hometown Hopefuls. These athletes are working towards representing their country at the Paris 2024 Games next year. The series will showcase their journeys to the biggest stage in their sports, as well as the communities that have shaped them. To read more inspiring stories from Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visit NBCSports.com/hometownhopefuls.
The World Rowing Championships are taking place in Belgrade, Serbia this week, with spots for the 2024 Olympics up for grabs. Among the rowers competing is Molly Reckford, a native of Short Hills, New Jersey and a graduate of Dartmouth College. Reckford, who won a silver medal in Women’s Lightweight Double Sculls at the 2022 World Championships in Tokyo, will be transitioning to women’s quadruple sculls for this year’s championships. NBC Sports caught up with Reckford to discuss her journey to elite rowing, her aspirations for the Paris 2024 Games, and the New Jersey community that has supported her throughout her career.
Reckford’s rowing career started in high school, inspired by her older sister who was a member of the rowing team. Despite initially being told she was too small and too slow to be recruited, Reckford pursued rowing at Dartmouth College as a walk-on. After graduating, she didn’t see rowing professionally as a viable option and pursued a career in sales and trading. However, her love for rowing led her back to the sport, and she joined a competitive masters team in California. Within three months of returning to rowing, Reckford set a personal record on a 2K test and realized she had the potential to compete internationally as a lightweight rower.
Reckford attributes her breakthrough to her newfound dedication to the sport and her internal motivation to prove herself. She embraced rowing as an escape from her corporate life and chose to prioritize it during her free time. The drive to prove that she was capable despite being overlooked by college recruiters fueled her determination. This change in mindset played a significant role in her success and ultimately led her to compete at the senior national team trials and secure a second-place finish in the lightweight women’s doubles event.
Reckford’s story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief. Despite facing setbacks and doubters, she continued to pursue her passion for rowing and achieved remarkable success. As she prepares for the Paris 2024 Games, Reckford is determined to continue defying expectations and representing her country on the world stage.