Most college students pass their summers working a daily
grind at medium-wage jobs to offset tuition and housing costs. Others gain
valuable experience while padding their r?sum?s at internships. A lucky few do
nothing.

Wisconsin women’s rower Theresa Shields, on the other hand,
spent her summer winning a gold medal.

Shields, a junior co-captain this season, competed for the
United States at the 2008 FISA Under-23 World Rowing Championships in Germany
as a member of the women’s openweight eight team. The team beat out five other
medal hopefuls in the gold-medal race.

For Shields, it was a surreal episode.

“There’s really no way to describe it,” Shields said. “It’s
something you always dream about but never think could actually happen.”

The reward of a medal, though, did not come without hard
work, preparation and a significant time commitment.

“It was definitely the most intense training I’ve ever been
through,” Shields said. 
“[Practice] was twice a day, every day — sometimes three times a day —
for five weeks.”

The training and upper-level experience, while taxing,
should pay dividends in the upcoming collegiate season for Shields.

“I definitely have come in better shape than I ever have,”
Shields said. “Just the mental aspect of what I’ve learned this summer has
definitely helped with coming back this season and getting a jump-start and
getting really motivated.”

Shields hopes the strides she made over the summer will aid
her team in reaching its ultimate goal: a national championship.

“We are going to do everything in our power to be as
competitive as possible,” Shields said. “I think this year is going to be a
turning point, and … everyone is really excited about it. I think we have the
most potential this year, and we have the mindset and the ability to win a
national championship.”

Following the season, Shields hopes to get one more shot at
an Under-23 gold and will then turn her focus to the U.S. senior team.

“I do want to train with the senior team,” Shields said. “It
is just a matter of what opportunities open up, but I am sure I definitely want
to keep pursuing it for as long as I can until they won’t let me, I guess. A
dream [of mine] would be to go to the Olympics.”

Although competing at a high level in a foreign country
could seem daunting to some, Shields is somewhat used to the pressure, having
competed as a member of the 2004 synchronized skating U.S. World Team in
Croatia.

“I’ve learned a lot from skating that has carried over to
rowing as far as teamwork and time commitment,” Shields said. “But I’m
definitely glad I’m in rowing. I am incredibly passionate about it.”

Also easing the potential anxiety of competing at a world
championship was sharing the journey with nine other Badgers.

“It was really cool to have such representation from our
school,” Shields said. “It was comforting knowing people, and when we won our
gold medal we got to stand on the medals dock and watch [some of] the boys win,
which is something that doesn’t happen that often.”

Memories from the trip are not scarce for Shields, but there
is one moment which stands above all else.

“Just being on the medals dock,” Shields said, “receiving
our gold medal, watching our flag go up and hearing the national anthem.”

Sure beats an internship.