Holly poses with YMCA Health and Fitness director Shannon Gawronski among other women. (Submitted Photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY - Holly Crouch, a retired military veteran and a current special education teacher at Sherburne-Earlville Central School, remarks on 41 years of competitive canoeing.

If she didn’t jump on a dare from her older brother who said she 'didn’t have guts' to compete at the Canoe Regatta in Bainbridge, she might not have ever tried it. Now after spending a lifetime on the water, Holly is also an advocate for female athletes in canoeing today.

One of her most fondest accomplishments includes being the only woman to achieve six cannonballs in the Adirondacks in a season, meaning going from Old Forge to Saranac Lake in less than the average three days. Also, she is the only female to ever do those cannonballs solo. She looks forward to the 2022 Adirondack Classic in early September, the final race of the season in Upstate NY, and she is looking to add on to her three golds so far this season. She also holds the national C2 Women’s title. But, she couldn’t have earned those achievements without community support.

After suffering a shoulder injury and a broken ankle in the past year, she faced a bit of a setback with needing surgery. Proving that canoeing is much like any other sport, causing wear and tear on your body with the physical endurance and strength needed to carry a canoe and the ability to sit multiple hours at a time.

Crouch gives gratitude to many who have helped in her healing process, including medical and fitness personnel, including Melissa Tworkowsky from UHS Norwich Orthopedics. Melissa, a P.A. in sports medicine, worked directly with Crouch and specifically knew her level of competition to make sure she received proper care to help her have a speedy recovery. Also, Rich O’Brien was someone Crouch is thankful for because as a physical therapist, he helped provide exercises that helped her get back on her feet. She gives credit to her chiropractor, Jim Russell, for stretching her back as sitting all the time is very uncomfortable.

Crouch also spends quality time at the Norwich YMCA where she struck a great friendship with Health and Fitness director Shannon Gawronski. She’s enjoyed Gawronski’s fitness classes that continue to keep her motivated and in shape for each race.

Crouch does not know when it will be her time to stop competing, but the competition has been courteous enough to allow anyone to compete from a younger demographic to 70-80 year olds. She said that canoeing doesn’t die out unless you’re unable to go on.

Crouch is currently training for the Adirondacks and again, she cannot thank everyone enough for their collaboration efforts in her recovery and for only making her stronger each time she competes. While she travels nationwide and has even competed internationally, she is proud to call the local Chenango County area her home.