Dec. 13, 2001

Manhattan, Kan. - The Kansas State women's rowing program recently honored senior co-captain Josie McClellan (Topeka, Kan.) as the team's workhorse and sophomore coxswain Katrina Regehr (Iola, Kan.) as the team's most improved oarswoman.

McClellan, who has earned two varsity letters as a member of the first varsity 8+ broke the team's record for a 6,000-meter ergometer test with a time of 22:50.0. McClellan's score puts her among the top eight collegiate women in the country.

"It is not often a coach has the privilege of coaching an athlete like Josie," stated Head Coach Jenny Hale. "She is the kind of athlete that puts out 110 percent every day of the year. She has no sense of her own limits and so is constantly redefining what is possible - not only for herself but also the team. Her ergometer test was the best test I have ever seen from any rower on the college or national team level."

Regehr closed the Wildcats' on-the-water season by making tremendous changes in the last week of practices. As a new coxswain this year, she has been improving on a daily basis.

"Watching a coxswain make the most out of the last week on the water is fantastic," claimed Hale. "Katrina's desire to improve is an inspiration to her teammates, rowers and coxes alike. I am so pleased to have such a fierce competitor and intelligent woman on our team. As we move indoors, I think Katrina has set herself up nicely to begin making a lot of progress in her technical knowledge."

For the week ending November 29, the Wildcat Rowing Staff honored varsity rower Amy Herrmann (junior, Sabetha, Kan.) as the team's Varsity Workhorse. Novice Workhorse honors were shared by freshmen Jennifer Strong (Wichita, Kan.) and Terri Keeler (Great Bend, Kan.). The Novice Most Improved Award went to freshman Natasha Curry (Leavenworth, Kan.).

"Herrmann was a late addition to the varsity 8+ this season. She was a member of the Head of the Charles championship 8 and the first varsity eight that defeated Iowa at the Head of the Iowa. Iowa was ranked tenth in the nation last year. Amy has been really making her mark this fall," noted Hale. "This past week, Amy set the standard for the team during our ergometer workouts. She has a great focus this week and has been setting and achieving some very challenging goals."

The novices join the varsity for workouts during the winter. "We like to recognize our team for all aspects of work. While Terri has been doing a fantastic job on the erg, she has also been a great representative for the team this week and has introduced three new walk-ons to the sport," said Assistant Coach Sandra Chu. "Jen has also been working hard during practice and her fund-raising efforts this past week have brought in over $500. Pulling hard, fund raising and helping us identify potential members of our team are all part of the sport."

The Wildcats begin a new walk-on period on January 22nd. They also are in the middle of a major fund-raising campaign which benefits the team and Habitat for Humanity.

Natasha Curry, a member of the University's Air Force ROTC squad, has overcome a recent injury to make a fundamental technical change in her rowing. "Natasha has a great attitude which allows her to make good changes. Her change this week enabled her to develop the fundamental understanding of ratio while rowing. Now, she can establish a good rhythm to her stroke and get the rest time between drives that will let her pull harder," said Chu.

The Wildcats officially return to action on March 10 when they host Creighton University at home. Some athletes will row unaffiiliated in the Kansas Erg Sprints at Lawrence, Kan., on February 23.