Rowing: Bay teen's Washington-bound

Jessica Norris completes another gym session at Peak Fitness Centre in the countdown to her August 10 departure to the United States. Photo/Warren Buckland

Should Hawke's Bay rower Jessica Norris achieve her long-term goal of Olympic Games selection in 2024 Bay Olympian Emma Twigg can expect a thank you email at least.

"It's because rowers from New Zealand like Emma have a reputation for working so hard and performing so well on the international stage that I've got this scholarship," Norris said as she pondered her $260,000 full four-year scholarship at Washington State University, which she will start on August 10.

A former Woodford House student, Norris, 18, was planning on attending Waikato University this year and linking up with the Waikato Regional Performance Centre until she received the scholarship offer via Facebook in January.

"It's like a dream come true. One of the coaches at Washington State [Karl Huhta] told me they keep an eye on the results of Kiwi rowers online. I'm one of three Kiwis they selected," Norris explained.

"The standard over there is really high. There's an inter-state qualification process for nationals which will be something different for me and the facilities are amazing ... they pour so much money into women's rowing over there."

Norris, who will study sports management, will compete in eights and fours sweeping crews.

"I've never swept before so that will be something new as well. I've been putting in plenty of work in the gym because they will test my power to rate ratio on the erg shortly after I arrive. They've just had their nationals so we will have 12 months to prepare for the next ones. While I've had less time on the water in recent weeks I will be getting out more soon."

Norris, who has only been rowing for four years, was concerned coach Huhta might have been alarmed at her slow time for her gold medal-winning club single title at the February nationals in Twizel when she shook off a bout of the shingles before her final.

"I contacted Karl shortly after the nationals and told him I was really sick. He understood."

Huhta had to be impressed with Norris's rowing CV. At the 2016 club nationals she won gold in the under-18 coxless quad with Kate Laracy, Jessica Turfrey and Georgia King.

At this year's North Island championships Norris repeated her 2016 gold medal efforts in the club and senior single finals.

While competing for Washington State Norris will get two trips back to the Bay each year, one during the Christmas holidays and one during June and July.

"I will be able to row for Hawke's Bay but the only regatta on when I'm home is our own New Year's Regatta so that one will be a possibility," Norris said.

"The 2024 Olympics have to be the long-term goal as I will still be in the States in 2020. I believe this scholarship will be a big help towards me getting there."

Former Napier Girls' High School student Twigg competed in the women's single sculls at the last three Olympics and finished fourth last year and in 2012.

Norris heaped kudos on the work her coaches, Cedric Bayly, Ross Webb, and Michael Harrison, have done during the past four years to get her to the level required for the scholarship.

"Those three and so many others at the club have pushed me so I can achieve what I have."

Webb, who is also the Hawke's Bay Rowing Club's club captain, said there are concerns within New Zealand rowing circles about young talent heading offshore.

"But I don't believe this scholarship will be an impediment to Jessica's Olympic ambitions. It will be a huge life experience with high expectations on academic achievement as well."

"As long as she meets the high performance level standards upon her return Jessica will still be able to trial for New Zealand teams," Webb added.

Norris is the first Hawke's Bay club member to embark on a United States-based rowing scholarship since former NGHS student Hayley Jenkins, the sister of former New Zealand rep Thomas Jenkins, completed one in 2012.