Celtic Spotlight: Senior Carina Diorio
For Providence Catholic senior Carina Diorio, discovering a new passion meant stepping outside her comfort zone and trying something completely different. What began as a curiosity about rowing has grown into a love for the sport, a commitment to competitive athletics, and a goal of continuing her rowing career at the collegiate level.
Carina’s interest in rowing began after someone introduced her to the sport. Around the same time, she and her dad went to see the movie The Boys in the Boat, which sparked her curiosity even further. After researching rowing, she decided to attend a summer camp, where she quickly discovered something special.
“I immediately fell in love with the sport,” Carina shared. “I met so many amazing people at the camp.” Some of those friendships have continued long after camp ended, including close friends in Tampa with whom she still keeps in touch.
Since beginning her rowing journey in August 2025, Carina has dedicated herself to becoming a stronger, more competitive athlete. Now rowing with Hinsdale Community Rowing, she trains six days a week, typically for two hours each day. Her training includes time on the water, weightlifting, conditioning, and workouts on the rowing machine, known as an erg.
Competitive rowing demands a unique combination of strength, endurance, teamwork, and mental toughness. During racing season, Carina and her teammates compete in regattas, often spending an entire day preparing for and participating in races.
For Carina, one of the most rewarding parts of rowing has been seeing how much she has improved in a relatively short amount of time.
“Every day I train and give it my all, I get results that I want back,” she explained. She is also proud of the success her team has experienced at regattas and the relationships they have built along the way.
But the impact of rowing extends well beyond competition.
Carina credits the sport with teaching her discipline, independence, time management, and the importance of taking care of herself physically and mentally. She has learned how to push through challenges, set goals, and balance a demanding training schedule with her academics and other activities.
“Rowing has made me a better person overall,” she said. “I’m very self-aware, independent, determined, and I know how to manage myself.”
As she looks toward graduation, Carina hopes to continue competing at the collegiate level. Over the past year, she has visited colleges across the country, exploring rowing programs and searching for a school that offers the right combination of competitive athletics, strong team relationships, and an enjoyable college experience.
“I want to row in college because it’s had such a positive impact on my life,” she shared. “I only joined as a junior, and I don’t want to stop!”
While she is still completing college visits and preparing to make her decision, Carina knows that rowing will play an important role in her future.
Her advice to fellow Celtics is simple: Don’t be afraid to try something new.
“I didn’t know much about rowing when I first started, but taking that chance turned into one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
Carina hopes her experience encourages other students to explore their interests, discover new opportunities, and pursue the activities that excite them. She is even happy to connect with anyone interested in learning more about rowing or getting involved with Hinsdale Community Rowing.
We are proud of Carina for her dedication, determination, and willingness to challenge herself through a sport she has grown to love. We can’t wait to see where her rowing journey takes her next!
