DeRoos make rowing a family affair

It's really quite simple.

Pier DeRoo and Ana DeRoo grew up as particularly close siblings. Both began rowing as freshmen in high school and developed into elite rowers. And both are now rowing for Princeton.

"We wanted it this way," Pier explains.

The DeRoos are among a handful of siblings competing in the same sport at Princeton. Pier, a senior on the men's heavyweight crew who was a member of the Under-23 National Team this past summer, has been a steady fixture in the Tigers' varsity eight for the past three seasons. His younger sister Ana hopes to contribute to the women's freshmen open eight this year.

Their journey started with a Little League baseball coach who suggested that Pier try out for crew in his freshman year at Grosse Point High School in Michigan. The public school was one of the few in the area that supported a rowing team, and Pier's lanky six-foot, four-inch frame and natural athletic ability made him the ideal rower.

"My freshman year, there was a good boat with one open seat," he said. "I guess I got lucky, because I got to row with all of these great rowers, and it made it much more fun."

Pier was quickly hooked on the sport, rowing on a nationally-ranked high school team and eventually drawing the attention of Princeton's coaches.

Once on campus, DeRoo wasted no time in making an impact. He and his teammates in the freshman heavyweight boat finished their rookie season undefeated, topping their fellow freshmen competitors at both Eastern Sprints and at the International Rowing Association national championship meet — and often posting faster times than Princeton's varsity boat.

Following his footsteps

Back home in Michigan, Ana was beginning to get serious about rowing. Figuring she had nothing to lose, she followed in Pier's footsteps, trying out rowing for fun her freshman year.

As the years continued, the siblings remained committed to rowing. Pier moved up to Princeton's varsity boat his sophomore year, overcoming a serious jaw injury sustained in a biking accident to reclaim his spot in the top boat. In his junior year, the heavyweight crew was ranked No. 1 in the country for much of the season before losing narrowly to Harvard at IRAs.

Meanwhile, Ana's dedication to the sport grew as her high school rowing program expanded from six to more than 40 girls and became more competitive. When it came time to choose a college, there was only one place she could really see herself: Princeton.

"Everything just seemed to fit here," she said. "Both the lightweight and open teams are excellent, the facilities and coaching staff are great, and I didn't really want to be in the city."

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The major draw? Her brother.

"I always think it's weird to hear about siblings who grew up fighting," Ana said. "Pier and I have always been so close — we hang out together a lot with our mutual friends. I don't think we've ever fought."

"We're always together," Pier added. "I'm so excited she's here because I get to see her a lot more."

Though they have similar body types — complete with wingspans longer than their height — both DeRoos claim their success doesn't stem from their power. Pier, a stroker, explains that he's the "smooth feel" guy who sets the rhythm of the boat. Ana, the lightest freshman open recruit by five pounds, claims she "doesn't like being small" but is efficient with her build.

Most importantly, perhaps, both are passionate about rowing. And the best part is that they're doing it together.

"It's so nice having my brother help me adjust and settle in. He's a role model and a friend, and I don't feel homesick," Ana said.

Pier offers her what he claims is "sound brotherly advice" — unless it comes to his teammates.

"Some of his friends and teammates playfully flirt with me to make him mad — it makes him pretty mad," Ana said, before laughing. "It's okay; I trust him when it comes to stuff like that. He has good taste, you know?"