SMU Mustangs Rowing athletes preparing to finish their collegiate careers shared on May 14 how unexpected opportunities led them into leadership roles while helping rebuild the program.
The story highlights how several SMU rowers, including captains Dooley and Horton, did not originally plan to compete in Division I athletics but found themselves drawn into the sport through walk-on invitations or transfers. The group is set to compete at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in Raleigh, North Carolina, facing strong competition from teams ranked in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association’s top 25.
Dooley said her journey began when she received a mass email from a former graduate assistant with SMU rowing seeking students with little or no experience. “It was saying, ‘Hey, we’re looking for girls with little to no experience in rowing to come out.’ And I was like I’ve got a little to no experience. This sounds perfect,” Dooley said. She added about her early days: “It was quite the awakening coming into a D1 level sport, one of the most demanding endurance sports, with a pretty lacking base.”
Horton described nearly transferring after her freshman year before deciding to reach out about joining the team as a swimmer. Now serving as co-captain and planning to return as a graduate assistant coach next season, Horton credited head coach Chase Graham for his influence: “Chase really redirected my life in a lot of ways and showed me what it means to be such a compassionate person. Now, I kind of want to follow in his footsteps and do the same thing and coach and give kids the same opportunity that he gave me,” Horton said.
The senior class includes five walk-ons and four transfers who have contributed during years of transition for SMU rowing—welcoming new coaching staff members, recruiting classes, and working toward returning to NCAA Championships for the first time since 2024.
Reflecting on her time at SMU as graduation approaches, Dooley emphasized team camaraderie: “The best part is not about the rowing, it’s about the girls. That’s been the best part of all of this,” she said. “It’s all these people that I never would’ve come across in my life and made friends with… As much as they drive me crazy sometimes, I wouldn’t change this for the world.”
