<p>[Friends</a>’ Bielawski wins USA rowing singles title – Newsday.com](<a href=“http://www.newsday.com/sports/highschool/ny-skrow1712890676jun17,0,4414019.story]Friends”>Newsday | Long Island's & NYC's News Source - Newsday)</p>
<p>When Nicole Bielawski started rowing in the spring of her freshman year at Friends Academy, her clumsiness in the boat made others not want to row with her.</p>
<p>She was moved to a singles boat, and worked to shed that initial awkwardness on the water.</p>
<p>Four years later, no one can keep up with her.</p>
<p>Bielawski won the USA Rowing singles championship in Cincinnati on June 13, finishing the 2,000-meter race in 8:26.0. Her next step is the World championship in France in August. Qualifying rounds for that event begin next Thursday at Mercer Lake, N.J.</p>
<p>“Crew was very important to me, so when push came to shove I knew I couldn’t miss this particular regatta,” Bielawski said Wednesday in an interview with Newsday. “I think this decision was made a while ago.”</p>
<p>But school is important to Bielawski. She scored a 2360 on her SATs - 40 points shy of a perfect score - and will attend Princeton in the fall, where she will continue rowing.</p>
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<p>Congratulations Nicole and welcome to Princeton!</p>