MARÍA LAURA ÁBALO: FROM A LINCOLN LEARNER TO AN OLYMPIC ROWER!

Olympic athlete and former Lincoln student. She started as a young and passionate learner and became a professional rower. Learn all about Laura’s journey!

“My teachers really formed my style and my perseverance.” That is how María Laura Ábalo, former Argentine rowing athlete, remembers her time at Lincoln. Before becoming champion at the 2011 Pan American Games and 2010 South American Games, Laura started as a young enthusiast who got involved in every sport she could at school. She played volleyball, basketball, handball, softball, track and field, and soccer. 

“I was never talented and easygoing in sports,” Laura admits during an interview. So, how did she become part of the San Fernando Club and compete at an Olympic level? Read more about one of our learners from the Class of 1999. 
 

How did you go from being a Lincoln learner to an Olympic rower?

I always was the patient one. I tried, and I tried, and if I failed, I tried again until I succeeded. Then, throughout my high school career, I won the sports award three years in a row. Señora Erminia Granido always told me ‘Don't say no. Don't say you can't do something because you can.’ That stuck with me. Alejandra and Mariana were also PE teachers and always believed in me. They showed me that the way is always through perseverance and dedication. 

I think that that was the nicest thing about school. It didn't just give me an education, but it gave me a family and support. 

How was the experience of competing professionally?

The experience of representing my country and doing competitions, from a small South American game to a Pan American game to World Cups to World Championships and the Olympics, was awesome. By competing side by side with the best athletes, you learn a lot and much faster. Usually, the Rolling competition takes place in Europe in the European summer. We would leave Buenos Aires, which was getting colder, and go to Germany or France for some weeks of preparation. Then, we would compete. 

Rowing professionally is awesome, but there were also many things that I had to give up. Sometimes your friends go out, or your family gets together, and you can't be with them because you have to wake up early or have a competition. It was many years of dedication totally to my sport. 
 

How did the school prepare you for your career?

The school was important in how my character was built. I would always stay after school for sports. At 3:30 p.m., the clock would ring, and by 3:45 p.m. I would change quickly and do some sports till late in the afternoon. 

 That's what I really liked and enjoyed about Lincoln: having friends from all over the world, each with their own styles and traditions. 

How do you feel when you think of the Lincoln community?

Lincoln is such a homey place. Everything felt like home. It was actually my home. I think that that was the nicest thing about school. It didn't just give me education, but it gave me a family and support. 

How would you describe a Lincoln learner?

The bonus about being a Lincoln learner is that you get a little bit of every culture of your schoolmates. That gives you a plus to go out into the world. That preps you up for the modern world where there's a variety of different cultures and lifestyles. That's what I really liked and enjoyed about Lincoln: having friends from all over the world, each with their own styles and traditions. 

What would you say to our younger students?

Go after your dreams. Don't be afraid to pursue it, whether it's becoming president, an astronaut, a teacher, a doctor, or an Olympic Athlete. Dreams are meant to come true if we work hard and have patience. 

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