Gossip
Featured Paddler of the month (May): Michelle Kvanli
By Heather HerbeckMay 03, 2010
May's 'River Angel of the month'
Michelle Kvanli
Article nominated/submitted/written by Stephanie Viselli
“If
you haven’t taken anyone with you, if you have not shared your
journey, then you will have wasted your time"
Michelle Kvanli has been competing in kayak races for over 15 years. She is the current K1 Women’s National Champion in whitewater slalom, having persevered through a potentially career ending injury. She is also a past member of the U.S. Kayak Marathon Team, and the Austin Lady Bats Kayak Polo Team. She is a three time Junior Olympian, placing 4th in 1998.
Michelle is an American Canoe Association Whitewater certified instructor honing her
instruction skills by developing the kayak curriculum for Texas State University and working with instructors at the University of Texas, and UT San Antonio as well as developing instruction for the David and Debbie Power Olympic Outdoor Center that she helped found. She is a head coach for the Red River Racing Team Junior Olympic program, and works with Team River Runner bringing injured veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan to the water. Michelle is currently training to compete for the U.S. National Whitewater Team.
Michelle Kvanli has been competing in kayak races for over 15 years. She is the current K1 Women’s National Champion in whitewater slalom, having persevered through a potentially career ending injury. She is also a past member of the U.S. Kayak Marathon Team, and the Austin Lady Bats Kayak Polo Team. She is a three time Junior Olympian, placing 4th in 1998.
Michelle is an American Canoe Association Whitewater certified instructor honing her
instruction skills by developing the kayak curriculum for Texas State University and working with instructors at the University of Texas, and UT San Antonio as well as developing instruction for the David and Debbie Power Olympic Outdoor Center that she helped found. She is a head coach for the Red River Racing Team Junior Olympic program, and works with Team River Runner bringing injured veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan to the water. Michelle is currently training to compete for the U.S. National Whitewater Team.
Its Never Over Until its Over . . . Sometimes
it just takes a little longer!
Michelle Kvanli began paddling in 1995 when her mother volunteered her to help with a winter whitewater slalom race in New Braunfels, Texas. Michelle, who had not known anything about kayaking the week before, was entertained when the race organizers made here a gate judge! Michelle then watched racers deftly negotiate the slalom poles and became interested in the sport. Her mother’s friend, Mark Poindexter, then got her in a boat, and she has never looked back.
That summer, Michelle traveled to Colorado to begin competing in the paddling festivals. There she met other junior racers, and made it her goal to make the US Junior National Team. However, Michelle worked hard year after year, but was never able to attain that rank. Due to financial reasons, and the need for her to help at home, Michelle was never quite able to train year round like many of her other competitors. Still, she qualified for three Junior Olympic Games, with her highest individual finish being 4th. In the 1996 team event, she won a silver medal. In her senior year in High School she was able to spend a semester at the Adventure Quest Academy when they traveled to New Zealand.
Michelle Kvanli began paddling in 1995 when her mother volunteered her to help with a winter whitewater slalom race in New Braunfels, Texas. Michelle, who had not known anything about kayaking the week before, was entertained when the race organizers made here a gate judge! Michelle then watched racers deftly negotiate the slalom poles and became interested in the sport. Her mother’s friend, Mark Poindexter, then got her in a boat, and she has never looked back.
That summer, Michelle traveled to Colorado to begin competing in the paddling festivals. There she met other junior racers, and made it her goal to make the US Junior National Team. However, Michelle worked hard year after year, but was never able to attain that rank. Due to financial reasons, and the need for her to help at home, Michelle was never quite able to train year round like many of her other competitors. Still, she qualified for three Junior Olympic Games, with her highest individual finish being 4th. In the 1996 team event, she won a silver medal. In her senior year in High School she was able to spend a semester at the Adventure Quest Academy when they traveled to New Zealand.
Michelle placed first
that spring, at the New Zealand Team Trials. These results encouraged
Michelle that if she could continue to
train hard in college, she could possible reach her goals at the senior
level. Initially, Michelle wanted to take a year off from school to
train, but she had been awarded several scholarships, and did not want
to waste the opportunity that they afforded. She chose Texas State
University, in San Marcos, Texas based on the fact that it was located
close to the warm San Marcos River. She continued to train year round,
and began to coach junior racers with her friend, and 1996 Olympian Ben
Kvanli. Michelle and Ben began to date, and started the non-profit Red
River Racing Team with the support of David and Debbie Power. This
racing team worked with at-risk youth to help introduce paddling as a
way to have fun, and learn to be successful. Many of their racers did
very well, and made the US Junior National Team and won medals at the
Junior Olympics. While at Texas State, she also wrote the kayaking
curriculum to the Texas State Adventure Trip
Program. David and Debbie Power, then helped Michelle and Ben to
purchase a piece of property on the San Marcos River, creating the David
and Debbie Power Olympic Outdoor Center. The purpose of this center is
to; help spread the love of paddling nationwide, to educate people about
the river environment, and to help junior and senior level canoe and
kayak athletes. Michelle continued to train, and hope that she might one
day reach her goals. She was not able to travel as much during the
school year, so her friend Erin Magee, introduced her to the thriving
marathon paddling community in the San Marcos area. Michelle quickly
took up the sport, and with the help of David Lamb, who gave her a great
Orion kayak, became a 3-time member of the US National Marathon Team.
Michelle loved marathon racing, and even began to play the burgeoning
sport of kayak polo, but her heart was still in whitewater slalom.In
2003, Ben and Michelle were married, and
Michelle graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Clinical Laboratory
Science. She bega to put her degree to work immediately at
Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas where she worked the night shift
to help support herself and Ben while they worked to build up the
Olympic Outdoor Center, and Red River Racing. Michelle loved her job,
but grew restless with working weeks at the hospital and then weekends
at the center. She was trying to find balance, and wanted to pursue her
racing dreams. She then contacted Olympic silver medalist, Rebecca
Giddens, to help her with her training.
In 2005, Ben supported her in her decision to leave the hospital, and to return to whitewater racing full time. She started her journey training in North Carolina, and then drove to California for training camp that Rebecca and her husband Eric were giving. Michelle loved California, and had a great time at the camp. Unfortunately, there was a snag along the way.
In 2005, Ben supported her in her decision to leave the hospital, and to return to whitewater racing full time. She started her journey training in North Carolina, and then drove to California for training camp that Rebecca and her husband Eric were giving. Michelle loved California, and had a great time at the camp. Unfortunately, there was a snag along the way.
While running a section of
river with Rebecca and Eric, Michelle ended up injuring her shoulder. It
was a freak accident that occurred, not on the larger section of the
river run, but in playing in a wave about 5 minutes from the car.
Michelle flipped over, and heard her shoulder pop. She took some time
off after this injury, and then resumed training full time. She had
given everything for this opportunity, and she would not give it up
easily. Michelle then traveled to Durango, Colorado so that she could
prepare for the 2005 US National Team Trials. She was living out of her
Toyota Previa, and training twice to three times a day! By the time the
flooded trials came around, Michelle’s shoulder would
hardly stay in tact. When she would flip over, she could not roll,
because her shoulder would dislocate. Michelle felt defeated, but raced
in the US Trials anyway due to the encouragement of two time Olympian
Cathy Hearn. Despite the shoulder issues, Michelle placed sixth in one
run each of the 3 days of racing (there were 11 women in the race).
After the Trials, Michelle packed up and went back to Texas, where she figured her racing career would be over, and she was now injured. To help alleviate this feeling, Ben encouraged Michelle to coach one of their new Red River Racing Team members at the US Open series in Minnisota, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Just one month after the Team Trials, Michelle placed second in the US Open series, with one first place finish in Wausau, Wisconsin.
After the Trials, Michelle packed up and went back to Texas, where she figured her racing career would be over, and she was now injured. To help alleviate this feeling, Ben encouraged Michelle to coach one of their new Red River Racing Team members at the US Open series in Minnisota, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Just one month after the Team Trials, Michelle placed second in the US Open series, with one first place finish in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Michelle continued to teach for the next two years, while her shoulder progressively got worse.
Finally, a break came! In 2007, one of the students at the Olympic Outdoor Center was Dr. Bill Sullivan. As it turned out, Dr. Sullivan was a highly qualified radiologist, who specialized in MRI’s. (Dr. Sullivan works with Advanced Medical Imaging out of San Antonio, Texas). He told Michelle that he would help her Pro-Bono if she were willing to let him study her shoulder. Michelle and Ben jumped at the chance, and Dr. Sullivan was able to prove that Michelle had a partial labrum tear. The labrum is the cartilage cup that helps keep the shoulder stable. It would need surgery. Michelle was relieved to finally know the problem, but nervous about the surgery.
Dr. Sullivan then referred her to a friend of his, who happened to be a world famous shoulder surgeon, Dr. Stephen Burkart, of San Antonio Orthopedic Specialists. Dr. Burkart, consulted with Michelle and confirmed that surgery was needed, and initially told her it would be 3 more months before they could do the procedure. It would mean 6 months in a sling, and then would require 4 and half months of re-hab. This would put Michelle way past the 2008 US Olympic Trials. Michelle asked if there were any cancellations, and it turned out that the surgery could be done in one week!! Everything was very sudden, but Michelle jumped at the chance. In surgery, it was discovered, that she had a 75% tear of her labrum, and a partially torn biceps tendon.
Dr.
Burkart later told her that she was lucky she did not have extensive
nerve damage, and that she had had the surgery when she did.
Michelle did indeed feel blessed, and began to throw herself into her healing and physical therapy. She was going to get well, but maybe, just maybe, she would be able to race again. She began to paddle a month early in January of 2008 after her therapists said that she should ‘know her “therapy” would not “break” her’. Well, if what they were doing would not break her, how could a little flat- water paddling? She began to paddle a little bit more every day working to get her range of motion back. Michelle was weak, but more motivated than ever.
Earlier, in October of 2007, Michelle had been instrumental in helping to bring a 2008 Olympic Team Trials Qualifier to her now hometown of San Marcos. The City was thrilled with their new whitewater park, which Michelle and Ben helped to have created and they wanted to show it off.
The race was popular, because it was the first of the Olympic Qualifiers, and racers wanted to secure their spot early. Michelle was able to train with then Olympic Hopefuls, Heather Corrie, and Pablo McCandless of Chile. She became stronger and was so happy to be back in the boat! She loved training with Heather, who would go on to place 8th at the Beijing Olympics! Michelle decided to enter the race, and promised herself to race conservatively. She placed 4th and missed qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Trials due to one controversial penalty. She then went to the 2008 Olympic Trials where she watched her husband Ben Kvanli, and former coach, Mark Poindexter place 3rd in the C-2. Watching the race only made it more clear to her: she wanted to race, she wanted a shot.
So in the summer of 2008 Michelle trained full time while staying with her mother in law in DC. She placed 3rd in the US Nationals at the Adventure Sports Center International in Maryland, behind now Olympian Heather Corrie, and US Team member Carolyn Queen. To say she was excited would be an understatement. She was shocked to have this result just 10 months after her surgery, and was just excited to have had the opportunity. Now, she wanted to see what was possible! When she returned home, she became the new President of the Austin Paddling Club.
In 2009, “I see this as the beginning of my story, and I am making the most out of every opportunity I have!”
Michelle trained year round while teaching at the Olympic Outdoor Center, and continued to help build the Red River Racing Team. She became a member of the San Marcos Convention and Tourism board to help promote tourism in San Marcos. With this work she was asked to be on the San Marcos River Foundation Board, where she works to help preserve the San Marcos River, and the Edwards Aquifer. However, her racing managed to exceed her expectations. Michelle placed first at the US Open, and then placed 3rd at the US Team Trials. Although, her US Trials result was not what she had hoped for, it was still her highest finish ever. Michelle then pressed on the place 11th at the Pan American Championships, and to win the US National Championships, while placing 8th at the Charlotte International Open.
Michelle is astounded that she is now has the opportunity to achieve the goals that she has had since she was 14. With her best finishes coming after she thought she was completely denied a chance, she sees this as the beginning of the story, and everything she has faced has only made her stronger!
Michelle did indeed feel blessed, and began to throw herself into her healing and physical therapy. She was going to get well, but maybe, just maybe, she would be able to race again. She began to paddle a month early in January of 2008 after her therapists said that she should ‘know her “therapy” would not “break” her’. Well, if what they were doing would not break her, how could a little flat- water paddling? She began to paddle a little bit more every day working to get her range of motion back. Michelle was weak, but more motivated than ever.
Earlier, in October of 2007, Michelle had been instrumental in helping to bring a 2008 Olympic Team Trials Qualifier to her now hometown of San Marcos. The City was thrilled with their new whitewater park, which Michelle and Ben helped to have created and they wanted to show it off.
The race was popular, because it was the first of the Olympic Qualifiers, and racers wanted to secure their spot early. Michelle was able to train with then Olympic Hopefuls, Heather Corrie, and Pablo McCandless of Chile. She became stronger and was so happy to be back in the boat! She loved training with Heather, who would go on to place 8th at the Beijing Olympics! Michelle decided to enter the race, and promised herself to race conservatively. She placed 4th and missed qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Trials due to one controversial penalty. She then went to the 2008 Olympic Trials where she watched her husband Ben Kvanli, and former coach, Mark Poindexter place 3rd in the C-2. Watching the race only made it more clear to her: she wanted to race, she wanted a shot.
So in the summer of 2008 Michelle trained full time while staying with her mother in law in DC. She placed 3rd in the US Nationals at the Adventure Sports Center International in Maryland, behind now Olympian Heather Corrie, and US Team member Carolyn Queen. To say she was excited would be an understatement. She was shocked to have this result just 10 months after her surgery, and was just excited to have had the opportunity. Now, she wanted to see what was possible! When she returned home, she became the new President of the Austin Paddling Club.
In 2009, “I see this as the beginning of my story, and I am making the most out of every opportunity I have!”
Michelle trained year round while teaching at the Olympic Outdoor Center, and continued to help build the Red River Racing Team. She became a member of the San Marcos Convention and Tourism board to help promote tourism in San Marcos. With this work she was asked to be on the San Marcos River Foundation Board, where she works to help preserve the San Marcos River, and the Edwards Aquifer. However, her racing managed to exceed her expectations. Michelle placed first at the US Open, and then placed 3rd at the US Team Trials. Although, her US Trials result was not what she had hoped for, it was still her highest finish ever. Michelle then pressed on the place 11th at the Pan American Championships, and to win the US National Championships, while placing 8th at the Charlotte International Open.
Michelle is astounded that she is now has the opportunity to achieve the goals that she has had since she was 14. With her best finishes coming after she thought she was completely denied a chance, she sees this as the beginning of the story, and everything she has faced has only made her stronger!
Thank you Stephanie for sending such a detailed account of Michelle's journey - ups and downs! This proves that if you have the desire, passion and commitment . . . you can reach your goals! Michelle . . . hope to meet you and see you on the water! Thanks for being an inspiration!