As the U.S. National Rowing Team prepares for the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, China, one name on the roster stands out, not only for her speed on the water, but also for the uniform she wears off it. Lt. j.g. Alexandria Vallancey-Martinson, a 2021 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is not your typical elite rower. A Surface Warfare Officer by trade, she's spent the last few years balancing long watches aboard Navy ships with grueling early morning rows and late-night workouts…all in pursuit of a dream to represent her country at the highest level of her sport.

That dream is closer than ever. Fresh off a gold medal in the women's four at the World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland, Vallancey-Martinson has been named to the U.S. women's eight, the flagship event of international rowing, for the upcoming World Championships in Shanghai.

"It's definitely been a grind," she said with a laugh. "But this summer was the best shot I had to make the team before my five-year [service] commitment is up. After the Olympics last year, there was a bit more space in the squad, so I just went for it."

Vallancey-Martinson's path to elite rowing began in unlikely fashion. Originally a basketball player, she arrived at the Naval Academy in 2017 hoping to make the hoops team. When that didn't pan out, she walked onto the rowing team during plebe summer, a move that would reshape her future.

With no prior rowing experience, Vallancey-Martinson quickly earned a seat in Navy's top varsity eight. Her relentless work ethic and natural power soon paid dividends. She helped lead the Midshipmen to multiple Patriot League titles and NCAA Championship appearances. By her senior year, she was named to the CRCA All-America First Team and earned the Naval Academy's prestigious VADM Lawrence Sword for Women.

Still, it wasn't until her post-college debut at the 2021 Under-23 World Championships that Vallancey-Martinson realized her potential on the international stage. There, she won gold in the women's eight and silver in the four, which earned her U.S. Rowing's U-23 Athlete of the Year award.

Balancing an active-duty Navy career with elite rowing training has taken logistical maneuvering and a lot of grit. Early in her career, she was rowing at 4 a.m. with the San Diego Rowing Club before heading to her Navy job, then lifting or erging again in the evening. 

"It was nonstop for three years," she said. "And when we were underway, sometimes I could only get on the water once or twice a month."

After stints aboard the USS Preble and working in combat acoustics and visual information roles, Vallancey-Martinson found an opportunity when she transferred to the USS Stennis, which is currently undergoing a five-year reactor overhaul in Virginia.

"I talked to my detailer and tried to get stationed somewhere that would let me train," she explained. "I really lucked out with my department head letting me go to practices."

Vallancey-Martinson says her military training gave her a leg up on the international competition. 

"The pressure of being on a ship, getting ready for inspections, and standing watch is a lot like the pressure of selection camp and seat racing," she said. "You're always trying to get better, chasing perfection. That mindset translates really well to rowing."

Now firmly entrenched in the U.S. women's eight, Vallancey-Martinson is aiming to cap off a breakout summer with a strong performance in Shanghai. It may be her last major international regatta for a while, since she will immediately return to her ship afterwards. 

But the long-term goal? Los Angeles, 2028.

"I don't know what the future holds exactly, but I hope my story inspires others in the Navy," she said. "You can serve in the fleet and still chase your dreams. Just don't give up."

Whether leading a deck division or surging through the sprint of a 2,000-meter race, Alexandria Vallancey-Martinson continues to redefine what's possible, proving that discipline, determination, and service to country can power athletes all the way to the world stage.

Visit worldrowing.com to watch the U.S. women's eight compete at the 2025 World Rowing Championships, September 21-28, in Shanghai, China.