Rowing is in the family for this local man competing at Tokyo Olympics

For Alex Miklasevich, his interest in rowing started at a young age, from the sidelines, cheering on his older brother.

Over time, rowing turned into a passion for Miklasevich and would be his ticket to competing in the Olympic Games.

“You are the mother of an Olympian,” said David Johnson, Channel 11.

“Yes! It’s surreal,” said Jane Miklasevich, Alex’s mother.

The family of Alex Miklasevich is preparing to cheer on their son and brother, as he rows for Team USA.

“He really excelled in all sports. He would go home after practices, whether it was soccer or baseball -- swimming or tennis, he’d go home and practice more because he thought he was going to be a pro at whatever he did. So, when he tried rowing, that was something new. So, I believe it was really a challenge. A new challenge for him,” said Jane Miklasevich.

But Alex might never have competed in rowing, if it weren’t for his older brother, Matthew, who introduced the sport to him.

“We had early morning practices. We would get on the water around 5:15 a.m. -- so, my alarm is going off at 4:30 a.m. -- and, Alex and I shared a bunk bed. So, he knew like what the heck is this thing that he’s waking up for so early all the time. So, I thought he would hate it because I always woke him up,” said Matthew Miklasevich, Alex’s brother.

Alex Miklasevich tells Channel 11 how Pittsburgh played a role in becoming an Olympian

Alex didn’t hate it. Instead, he became obsessed with rowing and the sport eventually became a family affair.

His younger sister, Julia, followed in her brother’s footsteps, as she became an accomplished rower in high school and in college at Ohio State.

“So Alex and Matthew would always talk, and they almost took over a different language,” said Matthew Miklasevich, Alex’s father.

Alex’s father remembers asking him - How did you do? And, he would get a response he did not understand.

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“Because you would ask him; well how fast was your 2k? Oh, I did a 107. They would never tell you... I got seven minutes... They would always tell you the splits because it was a like a different language,” said Matthew.

It’s a language that mom and dad eventually learned, as rowing became a family passion that leaves them on the edge of their seats when they watch his races on television.

“Sometimes, I can’t even look I turn away. I’m praying the whole time. But, this I can’t even imagine. I really can’t. I am so excited and I don’t know... I am going to be nervous,” said Jane.

And, the nerves Alex will feel, his brother and sister know all too well.

As they watch their brother’s journey to the Olympics, they truly understand how he will feel before the biggest race of his life.

“Now I feel like I have a whole different level of apprecation having been through some of the things that he’s been through. To see him get to the Olympics... I’m so proud of him. I love him so much. What’s even more impressive than his work ethic is how just positive he is, he’s the kind of person that I can call with something going wrong and he’ll tell me 20 ways it can go right,” said Julia Miklasevich, Alex’s sister.

It is that positive attitude along with a strong work ethic and determination that Alex’s family says helped propel him to the Olympic Games and will hopefully help him earn a gold medal with Team USA.

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