University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Family Loses Former Rower Wick
7/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Former University of Minnesota rowing captain, Cheryl Wick, died of natural causes late Friday evening. Wick, who was the Gopher captain during both of the team’s NCAA appearances, was 25 years old. A visitation will be held Friday, July 31st at 4:00pm at Ranfranz Funeral Home in Rochester. The funeral will be held Saturday, August 1st at 2:00pm at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester.
Cheryl Wick Rowing Scholarship Fund
Golden Gopher Fund
516 15th Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
A native of Rochester, Minn., Wick was a member of the Gopher varsity program from 2003-07. While at Minnesota, Wick rowed with the Gophers’ top boat (First Varsity Eight) for three seasons and was a member of the Second Varsity Eight in 2003-04. During her tenure, Wick was an All-Central Region First Team selection in 2005 and 2007. In both of her years as captain, Wick was also an all-conference selection. A first-team All-Big Ten choice in 2007, Wick led the Gophers to a Big Ten Conference title that same year, while earning second-team honors in 2005-06. Following her collegiate career, Wick continued to stay connected with the Gopher program, serving as a volunteer coach for the 2007-08 season. Prior to her Gopher career, Wick transferred from St. Thomas, where she gained freshman rower of the year honors.
A four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Wick graduated with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2006. She went on to earn her master’s degree in 2007-08 from Minnesota and was continuing her education at Augsburg in the Physician Assistant program. Wick was a 2002 Century High School graduate, where she was a nine-time letterwinner in track, basketball and soccer. She was born Sept. 30, 1983 to Al and Pat Wick.
“We are truly devastated by the loss of our great friend Cheryl,” head coach Wendy Davis said. “Over the course of her four years with us, she was the heart and soul of our program. She was a person that everyone was drawn to and it showed being voted a two-time team captain. Our prayers are with her family and her boyfriend Nate.”
