The Lovejoy Connection

Not many collegiate rowers get to say they share a boat with a sibling. For the Lovejoy sisters, that rare experience has become their everyday reality.

Hannah and Madison (Madi) Lovejoy grew up in Marietta, Ohio, where rowing entered their lives unexpectedly. A friend introduced Hannah, the older sister, to the sport during her junior year of high school. At first, she didn’t think much of it, treating rowing as just another activity to try. She had no idea she’d eventually become a Big 12 Rower of the Year, an All‑American Honorable Mention and a decorated senior leader.

Madi, meanwhile, was watching closely. After a year of seeing her sister fall in love with the sport, she transferred high schools, becoming a member of the very same club. The two overlapped for just a season, getting to see each other day in and day out at practice, but neither imagined how much more time they’d spend side‑by‑side in the years ahead.

When Hannah committed to UCF during Madi’s sophomore year, the younger Lovejoy prepared for the idea of long-distance sisterhood. What used to be a multi‑day trip to visit her big sister has now become a nine‑minute drive, though Madi still jokes that it feels too far.

Now, with the Big 12 Championship just days away, the sisters have grown closer than ever, redefining what it means to be teammates, competitors and family.

That motivation paid off. For most of the season, the Lovejoy sisters have rowed together in UCF’s top boat, turning a dream into a daily reality.

Their first official race together came on March 13 in a dual against Jacksonville which served as Hannah’s senior debut and Madi’s freshman opener. They started the season in sync, and they’ve stayed that way ever since. Every time they’ve shared a place in the same boat, they’ve crossed the finish line in first place.

Those results didn’t come easily. The sisters still talk about a pair practice where they were matched together, working out as a tandem. Hannah remembers Madi pushing relentlessly, demanding more from her with every piece.

The team’s mantra, “for her as she would for me,” hits differently when the person in the next seat is your sister. For Hannah and Madi, it’s not just a saying; it’s a promise.

With two postseason races ahead, the Lovejoys have built something rare: an unbreakable bond forged through early mornings, tough practices, shared victories and the simple joy of pulling together toward the same finish line next to your sister.

ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.