Olympics: Rowing broke Kara Kohler’s heart; a high schooler helped her piece it back together

When it all fell apart, Kara Kohler moved back in with her parents.

Up until that point, every major decision in her 25 years of life had a singular purpose, to help her be the most effective and efficient athlete she could be and get her to the Olympics, her dream since she was a child in her Clayton home.

In 2012, Kohler stunned the rowing world — and herself — when she won a bronze medal at the London Olympics just three years after taking up the sport. But in 2016, she was left off the Olympic roster for Rio.