World rowing champion Katrina Werry is the 2017 Ballarat Sportswoman of the Year.
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She was crowned with Ballarat’s most prestigious individual sporting honour for female athletes on Thursday night.
Presented by the Sportsmen’s Association of Australia Ballarat associates branch, the award gives Werry a rare hometown double.
She was also named the Ballarat Sportsperson of the Year by Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club last month.
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne also received the two accolades two years ago – the first time since Olympic swimming gold medallist Shayne Reese in 2007.
The now Penrith-based Werry was unable to attend the presentation dinner at Ballarat Golf Club, with her mother Mary accepting the award on her behalf.
A former Ballarat Clarendon College student and rower, who began her schooling in Ballarat at St Thomas More in Alfredton, Werry enjoyed a succession of outstanding performances last year as part of Australia’s women’s four crew – including wins in two World Rowing Cup events leading up to a gold medal at the world championships in Florida, which was the pick of the achievements.
Werry is the first rower to be take out the Ballarat Sportswoman of the Year since Emily Martin in 2005.
Rachel Tallen (racewalking), Tash Fraser (distance running), Abigail Wehrung (basketball) and Kolbe Poole (eight-ball) were other finalists for the award, which was first presented in 1975.
Other awards, page 38