news
wednesday, april 21, 2004
Student stays on course, focuses on rowing and class
By Samia Khan
skhan@kansan.com
Kansas state writer
Every face in the crowd and every name in the phone book has a story behind it. Every week, Kansas staff writer Samia Khan tells the story of a randomly selected KU student.
Every morning Dan Porazio admires a sunrise over the Kansas River. But then he is truly awakened by the realization that he has to go to class fired, wet and sore.
The Overland Park senior is a fourth-year member of the KU Crew Club and a double major. Porazzo said only four of the large group of students who joined him his freshman year are still on the team. Because of the time commitment and physical stress, many quit after the first few weeks. It is unusual for anyone to stav more than a couple years.
say for more chant.
"I try not to quit things, but I don't even know how I stayed on this long," he said.
this long, the
Bryan Allen, Manhattan junior,
is Porazzo's roommate and teammate.
Allen said Porazzo served as the team's motivator. Seeing someone with the determination to stay with the program motivates others to stick with the team, he said.
the crew boats on Wescoe Beach. attended an informational meeting and decided to try the club with some friends.
with some money.
His rootmouse that year joined
the team, but left after a few
His freshman year Porazzo saw
weeks. Porazzo said watching his roommate gain weight and lounge around all year motivated him to continue with the team
Faces in the Crowd
"I felt like if I didn't do something, I'd end up fat and lazy," he said.
Workouts and practices are a year-round ordel for Porazzo.
The competitions have taken him to places across the country, such as Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and Madison, Wis.
In the summer, he keeps himself in shape by running and going to the gym. As soon as classes start, the rowing team begins practice. From August to November, it practices on the Kansas River near Bircham Park even if it is cold and windy outside.
Porazzo has never competed in a sport like rowing. The only
During the winter, the team continues practicing indoors 20 to 75 minutes every day on an ergometer. The "erg," as Porazzo calls it, is a rowing exercise machine that works the entire body and provides cardiovascular exercise.
And by spring break, Porazzo is back on the water every morning with his team.
Den Porazzo, Overland Park senior, smiled at his teammates' jokes yesterday at Bircham Park. Porazzo has been on the
Brent Carter/Kemman
Team for the past four years.
Porazzo said the team competed in an average of 10 races per year.
other athletic experi-
other athletic experience he had before crew was baseball and ultimate Frisbee in high school. For Porazzo, learning how to endure
pulling as hard as he could with his entire body for hours at a time was the hardest part.
"Your legs are the first things to go," he said. "You can hardly walk sometimes. But you have your days."
The worst part is showing up to class smelling and dripping of river water, he said.
ing morning peace.
Porazzo's friend and fraternity brother, Matt Pauly, said Porazzo always seemed to balance his commitments. Pauly, Purcell sophomore, said Porazzo all found time to help Purcell adjust to college, go to class and stay committed to the team.
river water, he said.
But having less free time has allowed Porazzo to focus more. He said his grades have steadily improved. His only problem is staying awake in class after a tiring morning practice.
"He's a champ," Pauly said. "He's incredibly dedicated, and I don't know if it's out of sheer stupidity or absolute love for the crew."
best friends down.
Porazzo's crew teammates are part of the reason he stuck with the team. He stays motivated to show up every morning because he doesn't want to let some of his
best friends down.
Porazko loves the intensity of coming up next to a boat when the oars almost touch. He also enjoys the feeling of seeing months of work pay off as his team's boat passes another team, especially if the boat is from Kansas State University.
accomplishment are just the tangible reasons Porazzo said he had for sticking with the team for so long.
But camaraderie and a sense of
"I can't even describe to you why it's still fun," he said "I know it doesn't make any logical sense."
Kansas Democrat raises funds, interest with campaign
Edited by Stephanie Lovett
By Patrick Cady
pcady@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Her early success could be attributed to her grass roots campaigning, or her ability to relate to the younger generation.
month when first quarter campa-
mion revenue accounting
Whatever the reason, Democratic candidate Nancy Boyda has made a splash in the 2004 2nd District congressional race.
She sent waves earlier this
showed that her campaign had out-raised incumbent congressman, U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun (R-Kan). nearly 3 to 1.
H e r fundraising skills and cam-
pain work have sparked interest on campus and beyond.
Boyda
"I think everyone is pleasantly surprised by the first quarter," said Tom Keating, Marysville junior and president of the KU Young Democrats.
Boyda claimed two main reasons for her ability to earn money.
"One, I work hard." Boyda said. "Two, the people in the 2nd District of Kansas want to see Jim
Rvun retire from Congress."
The money comes from months of campaigning that began in September for Boyda. Since then, she said she has been going up and down the district discussing issues with her prospective constituents.
"All I heard about was jobs, health care and public education." Boyda said.
Her campaign has resonated with some of the youth in Kansas.
Last weekend, as part of the Kansas Young Democrats Convention, she was named Kansas' Honorary Young Democrat of the Year.
"I'm impressed with the grass roots campaign," Keating said. "She's putting a lot of time in her district."
president of the KU College Republicans, recently met with Rvun.
boyda's impressive start has raised eyebrows on both sides of the political spectrum. Justin McFarland, Lenexa junior and
In that meeting, Ryun said that Boyda was the first opponent he has faced that could generate major campaign funding, McFarland said.
Elections for the 2nd District congressional seat will be held in November.
— Edited by Danielle Hillix
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