Dragon Boat team takes first place

The University of North Georgia (UNG) earned gold in the collegiate division of the 200-meter race in the Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival at Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville, Georgia, on Sept. 9.

This is the team's 10th win and appearance in the collegiate event. UNG had a winning time of 1:02.223.

"This was another great team win for UNG. We won all three races with competitive times. UNG came from behind in two of the three races, which exemplified the hard work and persistence of each paddler on the boat and the ability of each paddler to participate as a team," Dr. Neal Lin, team captain and lecturer of biology, said. "We also greatly appreciated friends and family members coming out to the event and supporting us."

The team consists of Dr. Michael Bender, Dr. Ran Chen, Brandon Clark, Jaden Davidson, Dr. Adam Davis, Allison Grundel, Dr. Victoria Hightower, Lin, Dr. Jeanelle Morgan (lead paddler), Ella Reid, Sheila Schulte, Anita Turlington, Kelly West, and Grace Witkowski. New team members included Dr. Nancy Dalman, Diana Davenport, Cameron Gay, Maili Hornbuckle, Caleb Holtzclaw, and Lillie Holtzclaw.

Walker Peck steered for each of the three races, and Finn Davis was drummer.

"We all have to work together to be successful since being in sync is key to propelling the boat to victory," Morgan, professor and associate department head of biology, said. "Our strategy this year was to start out slow and strong, making sure we were paddling together. We ramped up the pace as the race went on, which allowed us to sail past our competition to victory."

Dr. Christopher Jespersen, dean of the College of Arts and Letters, sponsors the Dragon Boat team.

"The UNG Dragon Boat Team has become an institutional tradition that reflects the university's mission: It includes students, staff and faculty. It's very much reflective of the community, and it's successful — year after year," Jespersen said.