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All in a row: Warrior Rowing Team provides therapy to veterans

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Woodruff
  • Staff Writer
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Everyone finds a different way of dealing with physical or mental issues and that is exactly what one group of veterans has done with the Warrior Rowing Team.

The Warrior Rowing Team is comprised of veterans -- retired and active duty from all five military branches Air Force, Navy, Army, Coast Guard and Marines -- who are in need of sport and recreational therapy to assist in their recovery from injuries and illness obtained during their military service.

The team's first season was in 2014. They started with indoor rowing last winter and finished their first competition with four medals. After training all spring, they competed in the Stars and Stripes 500 meter race and took first place.

Jenna Hancock, an Army reservist who is a security guard, a personal trainer and the crew captain for the Warrior Rowing Team, said the group is very diverse and the rowers have come from all levels of physical activity. She said some of the older members didn't think they could do it, but they dug deep and found their fight.

"The Warrior Rowing Team is all about being a team and that feeling of belonging and working to keep going," said Ms. Hancock.

One team member is in a wheelchair, striving to make the U.S. National Team, Ms. Hancock said.  "The first time he was on the machine, he did awesome," she said.

"There is also a member of the team with an artificial muscle in his leg. There are other members with various physical limitations. We just make adjustments for their level of activity." The coach, Heidi Ventresca, and the entire team are able and willing to accommodate all levels of physical participation.

Andrew Johnson was medically retired from the Navy two years ago after being diagnosed with brain cancer. He is now the co-captain of the Warrior Rowing Team.

Nadine Lewis, who is retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, said she joined the team to get in shape because she suffers from fibromyalgia and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Rowing gives her a sense of purpose and an outlet to meet people and participate in a group activity.

It comes down to being a team.

"As a team, we learned we don't give up on each other," said Ms. Hancock. "When I hit the point I can't go any further and there is still 750 meters, I can't let go, and that's huge.

"Most of us face difficulties, we all struggle and we all understand one another," she continued. "Sometimes at home we don't always have someone we can depend on."

The Warrior Rowing Team is always looking for new members, but members must be veterans or meet para-rowing classification standards. For more information, check out Warrior Rowing Team on Facebook or email warriorsrowingteam@hotmail.com.