Meet Anika Senan, a second-year student from Manassas, Virginia, studying Media Industries and Communication at UC San Diego. A coxswain for 5 years and in her second year on the UCSD rowing team, Anika balances early mornings on the water, time with friends, and academic priorities all while making sure her mental and physical well-being come first.

Location

🌓 San Diego, California

Personal Motto

ā€œIf I’m not at 100% mentally and physically, it affects my performance – and the team’s. Prioritizing myself means prioritizing us.ā€

Favorites

  • 🄦 Vegetable: (She keeps nutrition simple and balanced.)
  • šŸ‹ļø Exercise: Rowing, strength training, active beach days
  • 🧘 Way to Relax: Debriefing with suitemates, time with friends, and dessert traditions
  • šŸ“š Academic Focus: Media, communication, and storytelling

Daily Rhythms & Lifestyle

Anika’s days blend performance, community, and recovery. A typical schedule looks like:

  • – Rowing practice with the UCSD team
  • – Small breakfast at Better Buzz Coffee with teammates
  • – Beach time with best friends
  • – Classes and homework
  • – Debrief with suitemates
  • – Dinner at BJ’s (pizookies for the win!)
  • – Last-minute homework and chores
  • – Lights out (most nights — late-night creativity sometimes kicks in!)

As a coxswain, Anika believes bonding with teammates is as important as training. She prioritizes proper nutrition, academics, and ā€œhappy habitsā€ to stay at her best for herself – and for the boat.

Anika & Owaves

Favorite Part of the App

A mindful, visual calendar that centers essentials and helps her map academics, training, and social time.

Biggest Challenge Owaves Helped Overcome

Accountability and structure – especially with early practices and the occasional late-night creative streak.

Who She’d Love to Sync With

Other student-athletes balancing sport, studies, and friendships.

How She Explains Owaves to Family & Friends

ā€œA mindful, visual calendar that helps me stay on top of everything while still making time for my teammates and friends.ā€

Favorite Daily Habit

šŸ–ļø Morning practice followed by coffee and breakfast with her rowing teammates – a ritual that fuels both performance and friendship.

Closing

For Anika, rowing is a way of life rooted in teamwork, discipline, and connection. By prioritizing mental and physical
health alongside academics, she keeps herself – and her team – thriving.

Interview submission date: September 2025