PULLMAN, Wash. – Members of Washington State rowing teams from 1990-95 gathered for a reunion to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1995 National Championship crew, the weekend of Oct. 2-4 at Seattle, and took to the water for a row at the Pocock Rowing Center.
Over 30 Cougar rowing alums attended the event, including all nine members of the junior varsity eight crew that won the national title at the National Collegiate Rowing Championship Regatta in 1995. Those members include; Ann Hoang (coxswain), Mykel Papke (stroke), Paula Curry Donald, Nicole Bauer Pratapas, Ann Rich, Kelli Kamphouse Bauman, Kelli Swanson Veening, Nicole Hepworth and Molly Jordan (bow). All but Hepworth rowed together Saturday, with Emily French taking her place in the two seat. Former head rowing coach Tammy Crawford was also in attendance, however current head coach, Jane LaRiviere couldn't attend due to the WSU rowing team's regatta in British Columbia that weekend.
The event was organized by members of the 1995 rowing team and served as a celebration of camaraderie, a team bond that goes beyond the Pac-10 and national victories. It was also an opportunity to celebrate Ann Rich and her grace, courage and hope as she battles ovarian cancer. During Saturday's row, the crew stopped their shell in front a tribute to Rich, painted on the wall of the Montlake Cut by Papke's brother. The walls of the Cut are a place where rowers traditionally paint messages intended to inspire victory. As a reminder of the bond that surpasses time and victories, Rich's teammates sang the Cougar fight song as their shell floated in front of the teal-ribbon symbolizing the team's support of their teammate.
“It has been 20 years since this crew won the JV national championship title, but no amount of time could erase the bond between (us),” Pratapas said.
Crawford said in her speech to the group, “Honestly I can't remember too much about individual races won or the races lost. What I do remember are all the other parts: the caring, the support and the fact that you all had each-others' backs…and still do.”