WSU Rowning Signs Locals

Wichita State Rowing is pleased to announce the addition of Grant Milford of Maize High School and Sydney Blanton of Trinity Academy High School in Wichita to its 2009-2010 squad. Milford, a six-year football player and Blanton, a seven-year swimmer, both began rowing this winter for the Wichita Rowing Association with coach (and former WSU rower) Brain Adamson. Blanton, impressed with the Barton School of Business at WSU, knew that she wanted a team experience in college, but WSU had no swimming team. "I discovered that a lot of swimmers take up rowing as a second sport. I began in January rowing for Wichita Rowing Association to see how I would like it and I really enjoy it," Blanton said. "We're really excited to have picked up Sydney," said head coach Calvin Cupp, "having more student athletes that know what rowing is, is a huge boon to our program. Sydney is excited to come be a student athlete and contribute to the program we're trying to grow. It's also really nice to have two local kids with rowing experience who are coming to row for their hometown college." Milford picked up rowing because he thought it looked like a great sport and now loves the experience and workout. The Shocker coaches were immediately impressed with Milford's race results at the Shocker Sprints Indoor Rowing in February 2009 where Milford placed first among junior (high school) men and second in the 500-meter open category, beating several college-aged athletes. The coaches approached Milford and were pleased to learn Milford was already interested in WSU because of its renowned engineering program. Both athletes have been offered scholarships by WSU Rowing. Milford will officially sign at 10:45 a.m. Friday, April 24, at Maize High School. Blanton was offered the Don and Lee Wadsworth scholarship named in honor of the Wadsworths, who have given generous contributions to WSU Rowing. Milford and Blanton will join red-shirt athlete Kevin Sossa on the novice squad next year. Sossa, an engineering major, has been with the team since January 2009. "This is a great investment on Kevin's part and we're really impressed with the technical and physical progress he has made," said assistant coach Tori Breithaupt. "Being a red shirt shows a lot of character and determination to be as prepared and experienced as he can. Kevin can be a good role model to the novice rowers and an example for other red-shirt rowers in future," commented Cupp. Most of the rowing team is and will continue to be walk-ons, but having three student-athletes with previous rowing experience will help drive WSU Rowing to future success. Much of the current Shocker wins can be attributed to the leadership of Malcolm Johnson and Isabel Villaneda van Vloten, both former rowers. Sydney Blanton High School: Trinity Hometown: Wichita, KS Rowing Experience: port, starboard and sculling Other sports: 7 years swimming, 7 years soccer, 9 years basketball Major: Business-Entrepreneurship Awards and achievements: National Honors Society (11,12); Headmaster's Honor Roll (9-12); Missouri Valley Swimming All-Academic Team 2006-2007, 2007-2008; Sedgwick County Zoo Volunteer Service Award Summer 2007; Varsity Swimming lettered (9-11) Personal: parents Gary and Althea Blanton. Father is a WSU alumnus. Grant Milford High School: Maize High School Hometown: Maize, Kansas Rowing experience: port, starboard and sculling Other sports: football 6 years, track 2 years Awards and achievements: Sedgwick County Scholarship, General Academic Scholarship Major: Computer Engineering Personal: Parents Rocky and Leisa Milford, both WSU Alumni, siblings Kelsey and Brock Kevin Sossa High School: Andover Central Hometown: Andover, Kansas Rowing Experience: Red Shirt WSU Rowing Position: Port or Starboard and sculling Major: Engineering Personal: David and Martha Sossa sister Jasmine Awards and achievements: lettered in track, wrestling and football, football Bi-District Champions Sports: 3 yrs football, 2 track, 2 in wrestling Why WSU Rowing: "Can't imagine doing anything else!"