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Roman rowing for Rio

Langley’s Lisa Roman set to row for Canada at world championships
NRC's 2014 saturday
Langley's Lisa Roman (left) has been part of the Canadian national team program since 2011. She is currently in France for the 2015 world rowing championships as Canada looks to secure a spot at next summer's Olympic Games.

While the mid-20s are a time in their lives when many people are establishing their careers and/or family, life is on hold for Lisa Roman.

But that's OK for the Langley woman.

"I always tell myself this is a temporary thing, not a forever thing," Roman said.

"So I am going to do it now because I have 'forever' after."

Roman was talking to The Times earlier this month from London. Ont.

London is the training centre for Canada's national rowing team program and Roman has pretty much been there since January 2013.

"It is really hard (being away from your family) but you sacrifice what you can and keep moving on," she explained.

A perfect example is not getting the chance to meet her newborn nephew until earlier this month when she was home for less than 48 hours to attend a wedding.

"You just have to keep grinding and not think about what is going on and what you are missing," she explained.

Roman, who turns 26 in a few weeks time, was named to Canada's senior women's national team for a third straight year and left last week for Europe for training camp.

Canada is getting set to compete at the 2015 world rowing championships, which will take place on Lake Aiguebelette in France.

Canada's women's eight crew needs a top five finish to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Langley's Kristin Bauder is also with the Canadian team as one of two alternates.

"It was a pretty big achievement to make this team," Roman said.

"I have made it the past couple of years as well, but the competition has been getting harder and harder.

"It is becoming more and more difficult to be in our top boat."

Roman, who was a competitive figure skater growing up, first tried rowing at a UFV learn to row session in 2008. She attended the university after graduating from D.W. Poppy Secondary.

She quickly showed promise in the sport, and soon joined the Washington State University rowing team on scholarship. Roman graduated from the university in 2012 with a degree in psychology and a double minor in sports management and human development.

But before she put her post-secondary education to use, Roman set her focus squarely on rowing.

And the decision is paying dividends.

This is her third year competing for Canada at the world championships and they have won bronze in 2013 and silver last year. The team is also having a stellar season this summer, winning silver at the World Cup 2 event in Italy back in June and then gold at the World Cup 3 event in July in Switzerland.

Roman also helped take gold at the Henley Royal Regatta in England back in July.

Motivation is no problem for the athletes.

"We all have the same goal, so it is easy to stay focused," Roman said.

"The pressure is on all the time, everyone is pushing for it as a unit. There are girls underneath us pushing us too."