THE
PULLHARD A COUGAR CREW PUBLICATION
WINTER 2020 EDITION
Cougar Crew Days Important Update 05
DECADE in review 09
An Inside Look: Senior Trevor Zook 17
Alumni Spotlight Sean Halsted 19
INSIDE THE WINTER EDITION 1
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03
Letter from the Editor & Call to Action
05
Cougar Crew Days Update
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Letter from the Head Coach
9
Decade in Review
13
Winter Camp 2020
15
Cougar Catch-Up
17
Inside Look: Trevor Zook
19
Alumni Spotlight: Paralympian Sean Halsted
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Planned Giving
25
Behind the PullHard
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LETTER FROM THE
EDITOR Coug fans, I want to take a moment to apologize for the lateness of this issue. It was my intent to publish several weeks ago, however, with the disruptions we have all experienced in the last two weeks, that was not possible. Later in the issue you will hear from both Head Coach Peter Brevick, and Chair of the CCAA Tim Richards, about the reality the team is facing concerning the racing season and the plans for Cougar Crew Days. We are in unusual, yet historic times. In the face of uncertainty, we need to keep track of one another more than ever. Stay safe, stay healthy, and as always, Go Cougs.
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CALL TO
ACTION Calling all Cougs, A couple weeks ago I was informed that a member of the women’s varsity team, Jenny O’Dell, was diagnosed with leukemia. For those who are unaware, Jenny is part of a legacy of rowers who raced for Washington State. Both of her parents, Jess and Vicky, are alumni of the team, and her brother, Morgan, also rowed while he was at WSU. Jenny’s aunt has established a GoFundMe account to help ease the financial burden for Jess and Vicky. I know things are uncertain right now with the state of the economy, but it’s important that Cougs look out for one another, so if you are able to help in any way, please do so. A link to the account will be included below. Go Cougs. GoFundMe click HERE
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COUGAR CREW DAYS 2020 UPDATE COVID-19 A message from Cougar Crew Alumni Association Chair Tim Richards To our Cougar Crew alumni, friends, and family, As the Cougar Crew Alumni Association (CCAA) counted down to the final weeks of preparation for our 50th year celebration, Western Washington became US ground zero for the respiratory virus known as COVID-19. Many US states have reported at least one confirmed case and to date 19 deaths in Washington are attributed to the virus. The extent and future course of the epidemic is unknown. Regional, national and global epidemiological studies are underway. There is no need to summarize what has been found; those questions are best answered by sources such as the CDC website. The question for all of us looking forward to Cougar Crew Days 2020 (CCD2020) is simple: What is the most appropriate response? A simple question with no simple answer. As of this writing, Washington State University is open for business, but twice-a-day meetings of the administration and regular online training of the entire
faculty are elements of ongoing emergency planning. University of Washington and Stanford have already moved to online classes for the foreseeable future; general public health recommendations are to avoid large crowds and minimize physical contact. Washington State Governor Inslee has recommended avoidance or rescheduling of any gathering of more than 10 individuals. California, New York, Oregon and Washington have all declared states of emergency. After thorough review and discussion with health professionals, university faculty and administrators, the CCAA Board has decided to cancel this year’s event and reschedule our 50th celebration for March 18-20, 2021. Instead of celebrating 50 years since the idea first took shape, we will celebrate 50 years from the first time we put boats on the water. The CCAA board did not take this decision lightly nor without considering a broad range of viewpoints. In our discussions, two main concerns came into focus:
Our Health. COVID-19 is a brand-new disease. The 50-Year celebration has aimed at the widest possible reunion of WSU rowers. Many of the earliest of our athletes are in the medium or high-risk demographics for this outbreak.
Our High Expectations. Current planning for CCD2020 anticipates more than 600 guests for the banquet.
Although the university has not yet restricted such large gatherings, the Murrow Symposium, a major campus event scheduled for March 22, has been postponed. Administrators have stated that the arrival of the virus in Pullman is a matter of “when, not if.” This means the possibility of unplanned cancellation is very real. With our event so imminent, and the possibility of last-minute cancellation rising, the board decided that rescheduling is the most prudent choice and minimizes our financial risk. A late cancellation would likely mean a substantial out of pocket loss to CCAA and thus Cougar Crew. We are all disappointed, but this decision will ensure that our 50th Celebration will truly be the best it can be.
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To everyone involved in planning and organizing this event over the last year, thank you. To our greater Cougar Crew community, please understand that the board was very torn in making this extremely difficult decision but believe it is our best course. In the next few days, look for a communication from the CCAA. We will be updating you with a reformulated plan of what the near future will hold.
Aloha, Tim Richards Aka “Haole� Cougar Crew 1977-1980 Commodore 1979-1980 season Chair; Cougar Crew Alumni Association
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A LETTER FROM THE HE AD COAC H
TO THE 2020 SENIORS, WELL ROWED.
Greetings to the Cougar Crew Nation! As I’m sure you know by now, in the span of 48 hours the entirety of the 2020 spring racing season was cancelled. While it has been a shock for all, coaching staff and student-athletes alike, the team has handled things well. We talk regularly about our need to prepare for the unexpected so that we can have the performances we want at regattas. Handling the COVID-19 situation is certainly an opportunity to deal with the unexpected, and the team is dealing with it well. While this has impacted all of us on the Cougar Crew, I want to address the impact this has on the seniors here. The freshmen, sophomores, and juniors have been working hard, and don’t get a chance to put their speed on display this spring, but they will get a chance in 2021. For the 9 seniors on the team, this cancellation will leave a blank spot on their racing careers. While they do not get to line up this spring, and hear “Washington State” as the crews are polled, what they can celebrate is what they’ve accomplished on their journey. Speaking for the senior varsity men that I coached 6 days a week these past 8 months; you ALL set new PRs on the erg, you ALL set a standard for the team in effort and attitude, you ALL hit new high numbers in your strength training, you ALL helped the team get faster (on and off the water), and you ALL earned the hard won respect of your teammates and myself over the past four years. The legacy you leave at WSU does not include a spring 2020 racing season, yet the legacy you leave is one that any oarsman, from any of the 50 years of the Cougar Crew, can be proud of. The legacy you leave is one that I am proud of.
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P E T E R BR E V I C K
MARCH 2020
Harlow Bronstein, 4th year oarswoman, Club Women, Vice Commodore Blake Cheshier, 2nd year oarsman, Varsity Men Bjorn Elliot, 4th year oarsman, Varsity Men, Vice Commodore Daniel Moguel, 4th year oarsman, Varsity Men John Michael Najarian, 4th year oarsman, Varsity Men, Commodore Alex Welch, 4th year oarsman, Varsity Men, Recruiting Coordinator Conor Widmann, 4th year oarsman, Varsity Men Alexis Winnett, 3rd year oarswomen, Club Women Trevor Zook, 4th year oarsman, Varsity Men
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DECADE IN REVIEW 2010-2020 9
‘10
WIRA CHAMPIONS
‘13
NL4+ NATIONAL TITLE
‘14
FEBRUARY 2020 FAWLEY CUP WINNERS
WSU COUGAR CREW
‘11
FAWLEY CUP WINNERS
‘13 ‘13 ORION McCABE 2K RECORD
‘15
FAWLEY CUP WINNERS
10
DECADE IN REVIEW 2010-2020 11
‘15
LW4+ WIRA CHAMPIONS
‘15
FIRST APPEARANCE AT HEAD OF THE CHARLES
‘19
F E B R U APLACE R Y 2 0 2 0 AT COVERED BRIDGE 8+ FIRST AND THIRD
WSU COUGAR CREW
‘15
L8+ WIRA CHAMPIONS
‘18
LW4+ WIRA CHAMPIONS
‘19
W4+ TAKING SILVER AT ACRA
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WINTER CAMP RECAP
W
hile most Cougs were resting up after finals during the holiday season, 16 Cougar Crew oarsmen (12 varsity, 4 novice) and 2 coxswains were out on Lake Union and Lake Washington prepping for the upcoming spring season. As with last year, the team was fortunate enough to be able to use Seattle Pacific University’s boathouse as a launching point for the week, rowing over 160 kilometers in total. While this was only the second winter camp in recent history, this year had bigger goals, a bigger crew, and hunger for more competition. To maximize the winter daylight, the selected crew would be hands-on at 7:30 a.m. at the SPU boathouse and launched onto the Fremont Cut. The first half of the day was dedicated to small boat training. The varsity
members performed competitive rows in pairs while the novice members worked in the Huhta, a 4+, while also gaining exposure to pairs work. All rowers were selected based on attitude, performance during erg workouts (raw 6k and 2x6k) and pair certification for varsity. After a morning of small boat emphasis, the team headed back to land to recover and to prepare for another session in the afternoon at 3 p.m. With the different dynamic added by the additional crew members, the afternoon rowing session was dedicated to working in big boats. The factor of having two 8+’s added a whole new level of competitiveness and challenge. During the 2019 winter camp, the rowing often felt one-dimensional with no racing environment. With the extra crew and extra boat, the tone was the exact type of competitiveness that is needed to prepare for spring racing. As Coach Peter Brevick says, the focus should be on making your boat go fast rather
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WSU COUGAR CREW than wanting to be put in “the fast boat”. With mixed lineups and the opportunities to build cohesive rowing with diverse team members and pieces, athletes were given the chance to work on making any boat go fast. Overall, the camp was a success. In the words of head coach Peter Brevick: “It was great to see the focused intensity the men brought to each session. The difference in efforts and outcomes this year over last will serve the team well this spring.” The team was efficient enough to log over the established goal of 160 kilometers, select novice were exposed to competitive rowing, the attitude required for spring racing was established, and the crew learned a lot of valuable lessons along the way. One of those valuable lessons came from Cougar Crew alum and gold medal Olympic champion, Paul Enquist, visit during camp. Paul shared that during the final, all his competitors came out with radically different strategies, starting off very fast and
seemingly leaving Paul and his partner, Brad, behind. Paul described to our crew how he knew going into the race that he could not control what his competitors would do. No matter the inconsistencies in strategies, Paul stayed consistent in his plan and became one of three United States boats to win gold at the Olympics since 1960. His visit and experiences reminded us of the importance of rowing your own boat. -Jeremiah Lee ‘22
MP
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COUGAR‘20
CATCH-UP
Every team shares qualities of Cougar Crew is no exception. intended to celebrate the recent our family through weddings, careers, and newborns.
Lucas Olona (‘00) lives down in the Bay Area and recently became a partner at a law firm specializing in construction defect litigation. After enjoying some post-collegiate rowing at several Bay Area clubs - including Marin and most recently East Bay Rowing Club in Oakland - two children entered the picture and have delayed further rowing pursuits for the time being ... although he continues to torture himself with an erg in his garage. He looks forward to seeing everyone in Pullman for the 50th Anniversary.
LUCAS OLONA 15
a family, and This section is life updates of engangments,
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Joe Lillis ‘14 is now Jake Brisson ‘15 has entered engaged to Drew Bolduc. a new coaching position at Pocock.
PAUL EHLERS
JAKE BRISSON
JOE LILLIS
WSU COUGAR CREW
Paul Ehlers (‘11) and Bri Thompson got engaged on February 11th.
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INSIDE LOOK TREVOR ZOOK
TREVOR ZOOK GETTING TO KNOW THE TEAM Looking at Senior and 4th Year Oarsman Trevor Zook
S
enior Oarsman Trevor Zook spent his Fall 2019 semester in Barcelona, Spain. He is majoring in architecture, and studied at the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. His time was spent indulging in architectural masterpieces, as well as getting involved with the Reial Club Maritim de Barcelona, an active rowing club since 1881. Trevor wanted to diversify his rowing experience, while maintaining his training so he could be prepared when he returned to the team in the winter. His days consisted of going to class, exploring his new city, and training with the club. The training program for the club was very different from his training with Cougar Crew, so Trevor created a hybrid between the two. While most of his training was on land, he did get to visit the Olympic Canal and Lake Banyoles in Girona, where the 1992 Olympics took place.
‘20 Trevor had rowing experience mostly in eights, a few fours and a single. In fact, his experience in the single was specifically ocean rowing, and when he did get into an eight, Trevor explained how having coaches and coxswains that didn’t speak much English pushed him out of his comfort zone. The club focused primarily on strength, with three days of the week being dedicated to weights, combined with cardio twice a week and concluded the week with rows on the weekend. Trevor raced in Tarragona, Spain, in a 15-kilometer, headrace style staggered race, mentioning that rowing
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outside of the collegiate system was new and exciting, competing against other clubs that were similarly comprised of student athletes and masters-level rowers from the Catalan area. While Reial Club Maritim wasn’t directly competing with anyone in their division, they were competing for their best time and to see where they were compared in perspective to the 15+ other clubs that were present. Trevor’s adventures in Spain led him to successful studies as well as diverse rowing experiences. His dedication to rowing gave him the ability to relate
WSU COUGAR CREW
Trevor (3rd seat) Racing in Windermere Cup, 2019 to a new community where he did not speak the language, bonding and communicating through the sport he loves. Admittedly, not being with his team was challenging. Knowing that his teammates were putting in the work back in Pullman pushed him to do the same so that he could get back and compete with them during his final season with Cougar Crew. -Jeremiah Lee ‘22
Trevor (Bow) at winter camp, 2020
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
PA R A LYM P I A N S E A N H A L ST E D ( ‘ 92 )
SEAN HALSTED A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
David Herrick: When did you row for WSU?
S
DH: What got you into rowing?
Sean Halsted: 1988-1992
ean was introduced to me through Ernie Iseminger ’91 because they had rowed together. We finally connected in late January, and I was preparing for a relatively standard interview, I didn’t expect it to go more than 30 minutes. We ended up speaking for well over an hour. I found him to be engaging, lighthearted, and easygoing. We compared stories and found many shared experiences in our time rowing, despite a 20-year difference. However, beneath his easygoing demeanor I could sense his determination and unbridled optimism, even in the face of a life-altering accident while serving in the Air Force. These qualities have led him to the many accomplishments he has achieved, and only made it clearer to me that his story is one that should be shared. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Go Cougs. -David Herrick ’14
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SH: My dad was a rower in high school in Buffalo NY. Growing up he had stories about his time in rowing, which I think planted the seed. When I got to WSU and was thinking about clubs to join, I was debating on the ski team and rowing. I went to the rowing meeting first and just listening to the team talk captured my interest. I never made it to the ski team meeting. I went to the water and loved it, and one practice turned into another. I also think that my experience on the team lined up with my time running in high school. I attended Mead in Spokane and we were a big cross country and track school, but even then, no one really knew what we were up to. I always felt like a “fringe athlete”, in that I loved to compete but didn’t need the spotlight that some other sports enjoy. DH: What is most memorable about your time on the team?
WSU COUGAR CREW SH: I don’t have one particular memory, but a bunch of them along with the sense of family and teamwork, how everyone is dependent on each other and contributes. It made me feel like I was a part of something. I always felt most comfortable and in tune with the crew team, there was a greater sense of comradery compared to my experiences with ROTC and my fraternity. DH: Are there any particular races that stand out to you? How did they go? SH: Going down to California was always fun, especially Sacramento. It felt like we were always traveling the furthest of all the schools [laughs]. San Diego was great too. Rowing against the smaller Cal schools like Cal Poly, UC San Diego, USD, and every other combination of letters in California. If I had to pick though, coming in 3rd in the lightweight 8+ at the crew classic was huge. Our coxswain almost passed out, he got so caught up in the sprint. I was stroke seat and I watch him go quiet for a moment, his head kind of drooped and I had no idea what was going on. Then he took a deep breath and collected himself. I only found out once we got off the water and he could clarify. Then there was just the general experience of racing in a foreign place; those were always the memories that stuck with me. Being in hotels, being on a buoyed course, having stake boats, all of that. Plus, boat trailers all over the place, seeing all the different blades, tanks and colors. DH: How was it balancing ROTC and being on the team? SH: Honestly, I don’t know how I did it. I think my ROTC suffered a little, they felt like I wasn’t around enough. But, it sort of worked hand-in-hand, I would get off the water around sunset, eat, shower, then do drills in the field house. It was the other stuff at the detachment where I couldn’t attend, but it’s a good example of you put more on your plate and you do more. I think it’s like how, generally, athletes have higher GPA’s, they manage more. Now as a parent I’m trying to explain that to my kids.
DH: In your experience are there any similarities between the military and rowing? IS there crossover? SH: Yes, specifically teamwork, dependence, and chow. If I didn’t show up to dinner or lunch, then they (my teammates) would know. It’s always about the meal, especially as a lightweight [laughs]. I say food, it’s important but not imperative. With the military it’s similar, everyone knew what they were all doing for the majority of the day. The meal was just an opportunity to spend time together. DH: Your TEAM USA profile says you were injured during a training exercise, do you mind telling me about that?
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
PA R A LYM P I A N S E A N H A L ST E D ( ‘ 0 8 )
SEAN HALSTED SH: We were practicing combat search and rescue. In this situation we had two helicopters and went to a “crash” site. Our job as combat control is to control the air. We’re talking to the helicopters and whoever else at command. The whole plan was we were going to practice fast rope insertion technique. Think of the opening scene in “Blackhawk Down” when the first helicopter gets shot down. The thing that was hardest for me was that there was nothing “wrong” with that day. It was nice, wasn’t windy, no one was shooting at us. All I know is I was reaching for the rope and then suddenly I was on the ground. After that, all I could think was my back hurts and they’re telling me to move my feet around, but I couldn’t. Apparently, according to the investigation, I reached for the rope, but my foot got hung up in the door of the helicopter, which put me in an “L” body position, and with all the prop wash, I couldn’t hold on and fell 40 feet. In the process of my fall I shattered the L1 vertebrae, causing spine damage, which I wasn’t aware of until two weeks later. Well, after I fell, they put me in the helicopter we
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were working with and I got sent to a hospital in Pensacola where I underwent a 12-hour surgery and came out of it with a doctor saying I’d never walk. I was there for a week to be stabilized. From Pensacola, I got sent to Fort Lewis to rehab. From there I went to the Seattle VA where I spent a year learning how to live in a chair, which was awesome because I was exposed to so much stuff that I discovered was super important. An example is the wheelchair games which expose you to all the Paralympic sports but throw in others like bowling, softball, etc. It opens the door to everything you can do. DH: What was your first Paralympic sport, and how did you get involved? SH: I guess that would be basketball, but I didn’t really buy into it. Not being able to jump hindered my appreciation for the game. Then I got exposed to sled hockey which was awesome, but I only envisioned it as a sport to do, kind of a weekend warrior sort of thing. It got expensive though and didn’t feel it was warranted. About the same time, I was exposed to cross country
WSU COUGAR CREW
skiing. However, I wanted to do alpine but it wasn’t what it used to be for me. I went back to Nordic and cross country gave me more bang for my buck, the work-to-play ratio appealed to me. DH: Did you ever imagine it would lead you to an elite level? SH: No, not even close. When I was leaving WSU, my wife Sarah, girlfriend at the time, she encouraged me to post my erg scores and try out for the national team. I didn’t want to, because I could only think “who was going to pay for that?” Rowing filled a need in my collegiate life, but I couldn’t envision what that would look like after school. I was focused on the Air Force and never pushed for the Olympic level. When it came to the Paralympics it was kind of the same path, but then I was exposed to other athletes, and I realized I could do what they’re doing, and they had already been to Paralympic games. Plus, I had the support from the VA, so it was almost like “hey you’re pretty good at this, might as well do it”. DH: Are there any lessons from rowing that you were able to take into cross-country skiing? SH: Completely. I actually use my race plan from rowing on the ski-erg for a workout. Also, just that love of lactic acid and the feel of it, it all came into play. Plus, our attitude carried over, we were on “Lombardi time”, to be early is on time. DH: When did you make the cross-over to Biathlon? SH: It wasn’t exactly a cross-over. In para-nordic skiing your best athletes are also biathletes, It’s not as dramatic as non-adaptive. It was around ’08 when it grew. There is a more dramatic difference in nonadaptive skiing vs biathlon. US Biathlon also has money and they wanted to support us. A funding source made the shift easier. All the competitions were together for both adaptive and non-adaptive. DH: You’re a three-time Paralympian in 2010, 2014, and 2018. What was it like attending the games? Are they each unique in your experience or are there more similarities than not?
SH: Amazing, and each one had its own unique piece. The Opening Ceremony is incredible, especially in Canada. Since the countries come in alphabetically the U.S goes near last, but the host nation always goes last. We were entering the Canucks stadium and it was so loud, there’s so much noise and right when we’re in the middle, they announced Canada and somehow the stadium got even louder. We had never received that kind of attention before, I’m getting chills thinking about it. All of a sudden you have 40,000 people cheering. I had family there, fraternity brothers, former rowers, they were all there. Sochi was amazing because it was in Russia, which had its own ins and outs. PyeongChang was amazing. The morning crew from NBC was there to promote the Olympics and Paralympics. It was a huge improvement from Vancouver because there were broadcasts to the U.S, personnel to interview, and suddenly we had what we wanted (exposure) but then there were all these things that came with it like sponsors and security. One of those things where it’s “careful what you ask for, you might get it.” DH: Are you training for 2022 in Beijing? SH: No, I can’t keep up is what it boils down to. It’s cut throat; it’s always been competition and results based. I have to remind people of that, versus say the Special Olympics which is participation based. Other competitors don’t have kids, I do, so I can’t just drop what I’m doing in order to train. I can’t put the time in to stay competitive. I’m trying to focus now on helping the next generation get going. That was sort of my role in PyeongChang too. I’m trying to help people figure out they can get on snow and compete. DH: When you aren’t training what do you spend your time on? I do my best to spend time with my family too. My son is in water polo, my daughter plays water polo and the cello. My youngest is in 5th grade and was a swimmer, but she’s lost a bit of the passion for it so I’m trying to encourage her to try water polo. I’ve also taken her on Nordic trails a few times which was great. Thanks for taking the time Sean, and as always GO COUGS!!
PLANNED GIVING You Have the Power to Change Cougs’ Lives
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WSU COUGAR CREW
We know how proud you are of being a Washington State University Coug. Not only that, you’re part of a special breed of Cougs—crew alumni! Did you know that you can use your commitment to WSU to change the life of a student? After you turn 70 ½, you’re required to withdraw annually from your IRA, however, if you transfer those funds directly to the WSU Foundation, you can support the areas you care about and avoid paying income tax. When you make a gift through your will, revocable living trust, or beneficiary designation in support of WSU, you can maintain your current lifestyle and commitments while supporting the next generation of Cougs. It’s a winwin. Learn more about how you can change lives and make a tax-smart decision at the same time by visiting giftplanning.wsu.edu, calling 800-448-2978 or emailing gpoffice@wsu.edu.
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BEHIND THE PULLHARD 25
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WSU COUGAR CREW
EDITOR | DAVID HERRICK dherrick91@gmail.com David Herrick is the primary editor for The Pullhard, and rowed from 2010-2014. He is currently an assistant coach for the woman’s team at Oregon State.
DESIGNER & PUBLISHER | EZEKIEL NELSON zeke.nelson@outlook.com Ezekiel Nelson has been the layout and graphic designer for The Pullhard for the past two years. He started this position in his senior year as the team publisher. Currently, Zeke is finishing his Master’s of Architecture and will be graduating in May.
TEAM PUBLISHER | JEREMIAH LEE leejeremiah4@gmail.com Jeremiah Lee is from Renton, Wa. He is majoring in electrical engineering and is a 2nd year coxswain and current team publisher.
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PULLHARD @WSU_CougarCrew
@wsucougarcrew
WSU Men’s Crew