Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1196352
26 WAC Magazine | wac.net New WAC team now re-crew-ting Meet the athlete Kara Kroontje By Mae Jacobson, Associate Editor Washington State University cheerleader Kara Kroontje has an unlikely story for a collegiate athlete. Born prematurely at 29 weeks, Kara weighed 1 pound, 12 ounces and could fit in her father's palm. She never let it slow her down! Kara started gymnastics and ballet at the WAC at age 3. What began as a way to develop her motor skills quickly turned into a passion. Kara's hard work led her to the Washington State University cheer squad, where she is now a senior. Q. How did you get into cheerleading? A. My love of the sport comes from my fondness for gymnastics tumbling combined with the fun of rooting on your team with your fellow students and fans. Cheer won my heart during my freshman year at Ballard High School. Q. Tell us about the cheerleading community. A. We're a very close-knit group. It takes a lot of trust to let some- one throw you into the air and catch you. We are a family who works hard to make every game a special event. Q. How do you use the WAC? A. I grew up going to the WAC, and I still visit to work out during school breaks. My very favorite memory of the Club growing up is having a slumber party in the Presidents Suite for my 13th birthday! living fit meet the athlete / crew C O U R T E S Y K A R A K R O O N TJ E Members Loni Hinton and Carson Bowlin are putting together an elite WAC coed rowing team. e crew is believed to be the first of its kind at the Club. e team plans to fill its roster this winter and start competing this spring. All interested members are invited to an information session at 6 pm on ursday, February 6, in Hagerty's. Team members will be expected to participate in on-wa- ter workouts on Lake Union and Lake Washington and log a minimum of 200 minutes of additional aerobic work and cross-training per week. "e goal of the team is to build upon the deep tradition of competitive rowing within Seattle and to broaden the existing support and association of the WAC with the sport," Carson says. "ere are phenomenal rowers within the WAC mem- bership. is team will offer a place for individuals to pursue camaraderie with one another and excellence on the water while competing under the WAC name." Carson rowed for Gonzaga University, and Loni rowed at the University of Washington. WAC members interested in learning more about the rowing team should email Loni at loni.hinton@stoel.com. Q. What's your favorite thing about cheerleading? A. At WSU, it's been great to meet the little kids who attend games. I love how happy they are to talk to us and take pictures with us. Seeing their Cougar spirit at such a young age makes all the hard work worthwhile. Q. What's next? A. I'll graduate in the spring with a strategic communication de- gree. Cheerleading is coming to an end for me, but I look forward to bringing the positive energy and discipline I have learned into my career and personal life aer college. C A E A N C O U T O