Rhinelander native Mankus part of history at Club Crew National Championships

Rhinelander native Emma Mankus was a part of history earlier this month as the Paradragons USA and the Collective Racing Team competed at the U.S. Dragonboat Federation’s Club Crew National Championships. It marked first time that a fully-inclusive team of para-athletes and support paddlers competed at this prestigious event, which was staged Oct. 17-19 in Sarasota, Fla.

The team was made up of athletes with a range of abilities — including blind paddlers, amputees, and cognitively impaired athletes, working together in true unity and strength. That included Mankus, who was born with Cerebral Palsy and underwent brain surgery at the age of 12.

“Not only did Emma bring incredible enthusiasm to the team, but she also proved to be a skilled paddler and drummer, helping lead the crew to a clean sweep of gold medals in every racing category — the 200, 500, and 2,000-meter events,” the Collective Racing Team noted in a release provided to the River News.

Not only did the Paradragons outpace their direct competition, but also posted times faster than other divisional teams racing at the championship.

The release noted it Mankus’s first solo flight to Tampa and her first time racing with the Collective. 

“The team extends heartfelt thanks to her mother, Charil Reis, and local coach Mike Mondrall, whose support and preparation helped make this historic achievement possible,” the team stated. “We couldn’t have done it without her. Thank you, Emma — and congratulations to the entire Paradragons USA team!”

Mondrall is the head coach of Island City Dragon Boat Club, a mixed gender competitive club based in Minocqua that boasts a number of current and former Team USA dragonboat athletes. The club is always looking for interested youth and adults to join them. For more information, visit www.islandcitydragonboat.com.