“Powered Rangers” ready to Dragon Boat Saturday

The "Powered Rangers:" other dragon boats beware!

The UW-Parkside Dragon Boat crew, also known as the "Powered Rangers,"

held their first practice Saturday, Aug. 4, at Racine's Reef Point Marina. Twenty paddlers and 1 drummer, a mix of students and staff, had the chance to get acquainted with the boat and its people-powered propulsion system prior to the Kenosha Area Dragon Boat Festival Saturday, Aug. 11, at Prairie Springs Park and Lake Andrea. 

Organizer Chris Zanowski said the crew is ready to represent UW-Parkside with pride. 

"It was great to see everyone at practice, and they were an enthusiastic, hard-working group!" Zanowski stated. "Everyone is looking forward to race day and a chance to compete! We're also looking forward to the opportunity to get to know the team members better and to engage with the community."  

Along with Zanowski, the Powered Rangers crew is Rene Acosta, Justin Aranda, Allison Baird, Robert Bhatia, Kaitlyn Bjerk, Amy Castelic, Karli Contreras, Aaron Cooper, Erik Faz, Briana Gaines, Carl January, Max Melendrez, Syiad Mohammed, Antoine Murry, Franc Navarro, Sarah Raidbard, Christian Rocha, Hannah Roszkowski, Anna Lee Sapanski, Alfredo Sandoval Flores, Yer Vang, and Courtney Wynia. 

UW-Parkside first year student and ROAR leader Hannah Roszkowski was stoked after practice.  

"I have always wanted to be in the Dragon Boat race," she said. "Today was a lot of fun, and I can't wait until next weekend! It was hard at first, but as soon as I got the hang of it, I was having a blast."

More Dragon Boat quotes are available online.

Zanowski reported that practice included a safety review, instructions on how to paddle, and a run up and down the Root River. The UW-Parkside team got in an informal practice run against another team, and the UW-Parkside crew won the practice!

Alfredo Sandoval Flores designed Powered Ranger-themed T-shirts in green, red, blue, pink, yellow, purple, and black?Powered Ranger colors!

Again, race day is Saturday, Aug. 11, for the first-ever Kenosha Area Dragon Boat Festival at Prairie Springs Park and Lake Andrea.

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ABOUT THIS STORY:

Story Status: Archived
Publish date: 8/9/2012

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