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Stephanie and Mike MatalonesSuccess and Love that began with Rowing

Two rowers pictured at an event with oar blades in hands which read "Sarasota Scullers Captain 2007-2008". One then says Stephanie Martell, the other Michael Matalone
Picture of two rowers under a white tarp at what appears to be a regatta.
Group of rowers standing together wtih their coach in front of a statue of a boxer with his armes raised in the air.
Roughly 40 rowers, some standing, some sitting, holding their hands up ith index and pinky fingers in the air.

Mike and I met on the Scullers in 8th grade. We started dating freshman year and continued dating and rowing throughout senior year. We both were varsity captains and went off to college at University of South Florida where we started the rowing club there together. The team is still up and running ten years later. We succeeded in those early years thanks to the dedication and grit instilled in us by Scullers, not to mention some good old fashioned begging Coach Alex for help.

We now live in Salt Lake City with our two young kids. Our lives have been so shaped by this team that one of our Scullers teammate, Sarah Lord,

was the officiant at our wedding and Coach Alex was our ring bearer. We still visit our Scullers friends across the country; they are our family.

We both give credit to Scullers for helping us become the people we are today. This team and these people hold a special place in our hearts, one we will pass on to our own kids! I included a few pics I found!

The first is from Philly when we traveled as a team and the race got canceled for weather. The last is our rowing team from college.

-Stephanie Matalones

A family - mother and father pictured with two young children. One is a sleeping baby.