Don’t let George Werderich’s young age fool you.  Like Seabiscuit was born to be a race horse, the 19 year old was born to be a paddler.  George’s father (Wally Werderich) and his grandfather (George A. Werderich) are canoe racers and his mother (Belem Werderich) and his grandmother (Anita Werderich) are both seasoned canoe race bank runners.  Accordingly, George was immersed into paddling as soon as he could fit in a PFD.  Fun fact about George, his mom was in labor with him as she bank ran for his dad in a race...how about that?  By the time George was a teenager, George had competed in multiple United State Canoe Association national championships, winning the youth men’s tandem and youth mixed tandem canoe class championships by the time he turned 18.  While he may be young, George’s racing resume is impressive to even the most seasoned paddlers.  George has finished the prestigious 120 mile AuSable River Canoe Marathon in Michigan twice and won the 135 mile Tour Du Teche in Louisiana.  In Illinois, paddling with the St. Charles Canoe Club, he has won the Illinois Paddling Council’s marathon canoe state championship twice while also earning 4 class wins in the historic Des Plaines Canoe Marathon.  George is a proud Eagle Scout and beyond racing, a paddling memory he highly cherishes is going to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with his Troop.  George is a Phi Theta Kappa student at Waubonsee Community College working on general education classes.  He is exploring careers, and plans to transfer with thoughts of studying unmanned aerial systems.  Similar to Seabiscuit, it is a safe bet to count on George to come through when you need him.  George is very excited to be a member of the Missouri Speed Record team and is looking forward to the adventure of a lifetime.