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It's ironic: Katherine Isaza is the smallest member of the Connecticut Boat Club's Women's 8-plus, but she wields the most control. As the coxswain, she directed the team to a gold medal in the U.S. Youth National Championships in June.
The Norwalk High senior announced last week she will continue her rowing career at Syracuse University. Isaza is one of 10 seniors from the Norwalk-based CBC to firm up college commitments in the past few weeks. "I really like the environment, and I had a good rapport with the coach (Justin Moore),'' Katherine said. "It's an up-and-coming program."
Isaza packs a ton of personality into her petite 5-foot frame. That's one of the traits CBC coach Liz Trond liked about her when she made Katherine the cox for the team's signature boat. "Being a cox is like being a jockey,'' Liz said. "It's not only your strategy, but how do you execute it. She does a nice job of pushing them when they need to be pushed and then pulling back. She's a different kind of athlete."
Isaza's ride to the top of the regatta world was not easy. She started when she was in the seventh grade, and for 1½ years she learned as much as she could about the sport. Frances Wilson, who is friends with Trond, suggested that Katherine try the sport. "She said, 'You're small, but you're perfect for it,''' Katherine said. "I was naturally good at steering, but had to work at a lot of other things."
Isaza's first ride was with a novice crew. She took over on the varsity eight as a junior, and the team won the Head of the Charles and the Junior Nationals. "She did an unbelievable job,'' Trond said. "I can't think of another women's team that has won both of those races in the same year."
Katherine said her father, Diego, and mother, Annie Scaglia, provide a supportive environment while she focuses on academics and rowing. She's surprised how far the sport has taken her. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen,'' she said. She also said Trond played a large part in her success. "Liz's trust and belief in me made me push myself harder,'' Katherine said. "Although difficult at times, it made me who I am today, on and off the water."
With her high school career winding down, Katherine is determined to go out with a bang. "It's been a year-and-a-half and we're undefeated,'' Katherine said. "It's our senior year. We have to do it (win nationals again). That's my dream. That's my goal."
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