Chip off the Old Block

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Senior women's rower Chelsea Frawley grew up around sports, the daughter of Danny Frawley, the longest serving captain of the St. Kilda Football Club of the Australian Football League. Chelsea brings the intensity she witnessed growing up on the football field to the water with Syracuse women's rowing program.

Following a 12-year career with the St. Kilda Football Club, Danny Frawley retired and later became the head coach of the Richmond Football Club for five seasons. Some of Chelsea's earliest memories are from her father's coaching days.

"The earliest memory I have was when he was head coach," commented Frawley. "Most of the times we would spend together was watching film. I would always be around the club. I was obsessed with sports. I was probably the annoying kid that all the football players thought was annoying. I was just so into it. It was an awesome way to grow up."

Danny dropped out of school at a young age and became a potato farmer. A hard-working man, he farmed for several years and continued to play football. He was eventually recruited to play in the Australian Football League and joined the St. Kilda Football Club in 1984. His intensity and drive shaped the man her father is today.

"He is a lead by example guy," added Frawley. "He is a really hard worker. He was never the best athlete, but he was always the hardest worker."

Immersed in the world of sports, Chelsea fell in love with the competition. She grew up a swimmer and basketball player, but transitioned to rowing in high school. She would carry the same intensity her father possessed on the football field to the water while rowing.

"He demands utter-respect and is so hard working, but he is completely different at home than he is in that environment," stated Frawley. "He has always had belief in me. I have always doubted myself and he has instilled the belief that I didn't have in myself. Even when I do perform well, having him as a dad I know I can always do better."

In Australia, Chelsea raced in smaller boats, often racing in the single scull. The only person in the boat, she used those opportunities to learn to overcome tough situations. Her belief in herself would serve as the propeller and lead her to success. Chelsea earned three medals at the 2013 Australian National Championships, including a bronze-medal showing in the U21 single scull competition.

"Going from a single scull, that's where I learned my toughness," said Frawley. "You can't hide. Justin (Moore) talks about how Australians have this toughness. That's where it all begins. There is no pain that is too hard. Coming here, I know if I am going through the pain, everyone is going through the pain. I don't have it worse than anyone else. It's a really tough sport, but it puts you at ease knowing that eight other people are going through the same thing with you."

Chelsea was recruited to Syracuse University and joined the Orange for her junior campaign in 2013-14. She made an immediate impact in the larger boats, earning a spot in the varsity eight crew and helping the varsity four boat to a third-place finish at the 2014 Atlantic Coast Championships.

This season marks the final collegiate season for the Melbourne, Australia native. Now in the best shape she has ever been in, Chelsea is looking to guide Syracuse to its first NCAA Championships appearance since 2005.

"This year, I have had the best year of my career," concluded Frawley. "I am satisfied, but not completely satisfied. I think that is a trait that he (her father) has given me. Obviously, I want to go to NCAAs and I think that can happen. We are as fit as we have ever been. If we don't make it, there is nothing else we could have done."

The Orange is back on the water on Saturday, April 18 at the Clemson Invite in Clemson, S.C. It marks the team's second trip of three to Clemson this year as the squad held its spring break training there and will return for the 2015 ACC Championships.

Syracuse University Athletics

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