The Falcon   |   Volume 81, Issue 26

Published 6/02/10   |   Log In

Rower discovers perfect fit

While senior Zeke Schellberg is the captain of the SPU men's rowing team, he also finds time for his engineering major on top of minoring in German.
Photo credit: RANI BAN/The Falcon.

Despite criticism, Schellberg prevails

By DAVID TRISTANO, Sports Editor

Published: May 20, 2009

Although the men's crew season ended May 2, senior captain Zeke Schellberg still takes a single boat out on the canal and rows. For him, rowing has become a way of life.

"I hadn't considered any college athletics. I'm very glad I did, though," Schellberg said of his decision to join crew. "We have to do what we do for the intrinsic value. Find intrinsic values for what you value not what others value."

While many people fear a dull college experience, Schellberg, an electrical engineering major, seized every opportunity to make sure his school years were memorable. After rowing four seasons with the SPU crew team, Schellberg is all smiles as he nears the end of his college career.

Before school started his freshman year, Schellberg's father commented about how extracurricular activities are essential to acquiring a richer college experience. Schellberg took the advice to heart, and it wasn't long after that he got recruited to crew by a fellow student at Involvorama. Four years later, Schellberg reflects on his decision to pursue rowing.

"I'm not sure what the main appeal was," Schellberg said. "I wanted to try something new. I was one of those people who the guys on the men's team didn't think ... would make it. I'm this goofy, 140-pound kid in his first athletic experience."

Schellberg is one of the few who rowed for their entire four years at SPU. During high school, Schellberg specialized in keyboard percussion but could also play any percussion instrument when called upon. He had no former athletic experience.

His freshman year, Schellberg saw many men show up for the first few weeks of practice, though they dropped out as the year progressed. Schellberg and senior coxswain Matt Shi are the only rowers still on the roster from their freshman year.

One would think that having so many newcomers and only two returning rowers would hinder Schellberg and Shi's performance. However, Schellberg has only praised his young teammates for their ability to quickly learn and perform at such a high physical level.

But that didn't mean he never questioned his reasoning for joining crew.

Winter quarter is typically the toughest quarter of the year, Schellberg said. It's cold, rainy and dark outside, and the workouts are longer and more intense.

"As a first year crewmember, you don't know what you're preparing for," Schellberg said. "Winter quarter is exhausting."

For Schellberg, freshman year was difficult without support from his peers. The 5 a.m. workouts and the lack of spectators to cheer on the crew team seemed strange to Schellberg's floor mates, making them wonder why people actually do this sort of activity. But those who criticized Schellberg didn't understand how much he enjoyed it.

"It's definitely your teammates getting you through those times," Schellberg said.

As a veteran of competing on the water, Schellberg has also mastered time management. His management skills have not only earned him a 3.62 GPA, but also a spot on the 2009 Great Northwest Athletic Conference At-Large Academic all-star team for the second straight year. He is joined by five other members of the SPU crew team: seniors Rachel Savage and Holly Allan were honored for their third consecutive season, while junior Katie Degner and sophomores Eleni Johnson and Emily Pitts obtained the honor for the first time.

"In crew we search for excellence. Be the best we can be," Schellberg said. "I try to apply that in my classes. I can do an assignment just to do an assignment, or I can do it to the best of my ability, just for excellence's sake. Anyone can finish, but it's all about finishing well."

Though Schellberg didn't initially see himself involved in athletics, his college experience in crew has taught him the lesson of self-exploration, he said.

"I never thought I would have been doing the thing that I've done," Schellberg said. "It's motivated me to keep working out after graduation. There is a certain sense of knowing that I can push myself and still survive."

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