This content was published: June 13, 2011. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Zen Dragons suffer broken paddle, finish fourth at Rose Festival
Photos and story by James Hill
The PCC Zen Dragons, the college’s dragonboat team, won two heats, landing a spot in the finals with the second best time of its division in the Rose Festival Dragonboat Races last weekend. Later, drama unfolded on the Willamette on the third paddle stroke of their finals race when the team’s strongest paddler’s oar broke and split in two.
The PCC Zen Dragons could only be stopped in a higher division by a broken paddle during the 2011 Rose Festival Dragonboat Races.
“We lost six strokes in the most crucial part of the race slowing our effectiveness,” said Lenny Kesterson, computer specialist at Sylvania. “In a very close race we placed fourth for division 3; a great victory for PCC and the team. We want to thank the PCC community that came out to cheer us on and share the event with the PCC Zen Dragon team, you should be very proud of this team and this first venture into a higher and more challenging racing Division by much practice, strength and the Zen principals we follow as a team.”
Kesterson said a lot of thanks should go to the District Student Council, PCC staff, student captain Keegan Shelton from Southeast Center and retiree Fran Palk, who coaches the team and is its founder. All provided excellent support to the team.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »