You are here
The Power of Teamwork Took QCC Wyverns to Dragon Boat Finals
September 2018
From left: QCC and PTK students Ashley Forhan and Jen Brevik.
QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja shares a laugh with PTK student Dan Underwood.
QCC Wyverns get ready for one of their preliminary heats.
The QCC Wyverns took third place overall in the Academic portion of the 2018 Dragon Boat races.
QCC students enjoy a day on the water during the Dragon Boat Races.
The QCC Wyverns captain, Bonnie Coleman and Wyvern team members check on their next race time.
The 2018 QCC Wyverns with President Pedraja.
QCC students were on hand at the Dragon Boat Festival to inform people about the college.
The QCC Wyverns, a team of dedicated Quinsigamond Community College students, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) students, ACC alumni and PTK Advisor Bonnie Coleman, rowed their way to the finals at the second annual Worcester Dragon Boat Festival, held at DCR Regatta Point and Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester. This is the second time QCC has been in the dragon boat races. This year’s race featured 40 community and club boats, up from last year’s 25 dragon boats. The daylong event featured three teams that raced against each other in separate heats for the best overall time. The top-timed finishers were in the finals.
Dragon boat teams consist of 20 paddlers and one drummer who sits at the front of the boat and keeps the beat for the rowers.
“Being drummer this year was amazing," said PTK President Jen Brevik. "Not only did we make new friendships, enjoy this different experience, and enjoy a beautiful Saturday on Lake Quinsigamond, but we came together as a team.”
The QCC Wyverns shined in their two preliminary heats on a day that was picture-perfect. After anxiously awaiting their results, the Wyverns learned they were in the finals.
“We pushed through the people who thought we stood no chance and we did it, we actually got to the finals! As drummer of the QCC Wyverns' team, it was an awesome experience but more than anything it was really great to see our team come together the way we did, and to pull through with commitment, perseverance and pride,” Ms. Brevik continued.
The Wyverns placed ninth out of 40 teams and were elated with their performance.
“Our students were amazing. They showed what a true ‘Wyvern’ really is - fierce, loyal, intelligent, strong and resourceful,” Ms. Coleman said.
This year’s Dragon Boat participants included:
- Bianca Almeida
- Leandro Araujo
- Benjamin Aryeh
- Ashley Blackman
- Jennifer Brevik
- Elizabeth Burgos
- Jason Butler
- Sarah Charles
- Ashley Diaz
- Rose Duchemin
- Ashley Forhan
- Vanessa Hanger
- Sthuar Molina
- Johnny Nunez
- Emma O’ Brien
- Kayla Paterson
- Natasha Prokopowich
- Leslie Romero
- Maia Shalev
- Stephanie Teixeira
- Heath Tisdale, Jr.
- Vinny Tran
- Thomas Tribandis
- Daniel Underwood
- Joshua Vazquez-Soto
