Slippery Rock High grad Riley McGonigle, center, is a junior on the rowing team at Duquesne University.

Riley McGonigle’s muscles strain and burn.

They cry for her to stop, to take a break, to rest.

But she can’t. There are eight others in the boat counting on her and the race isn’t over yet.

No matter how much she wants it to be.

She sets the oar blade into the water and drives it through, putting every ounce of energy she has into the catch, drive and finish.

When the race is over, a familiar feeling washes over the Slippery Rock High graduate and junior on the Duquesne University women’s rowing team.

“Death,” McGonigle says, laughing.

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