As the Kansas State Wildcats women’s rowing prepares to battle at the Big 12 Championship in Sarasota, Florida, one athlete continues to embody the resilience, leadership, and determination driving the program forward Izzy Ross.
Ross is far more than a standout rower. She’s a leader in the locker room, an accomplished furniture designer, a campus organization president, and a two-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection. While many students are wrapping up spring finals, Ross has already completed another demanding semester balancing elite athletics, academics, internships, and leadership roles all while helping guide one of the youngest rowing squads in the conference into postseason competition.
This season has tested Kansas State in every possible way.
After graduating 14 seniors last year many of them foundational veterans the Wildcats entered 2026 facing a major transition. Another eight athletes are expected to depart after this spring, leaving the roster loaded with youth and inexperience.
Yet despite the constant turnover, the program has steadily found its identity.
According to Ross, the team’s culture has become its greatest strength.
“Our team lives by unity, intentionality, integrity, humility, and positivity,” Ross explained. “Everyone has embraced those values, even through the toughest practices and challenges. Going into the Big 12 Championship, that’s what we’re most proud of.”
The Wildcats have shown major growth throughout the season. K-State captured four of five races at the Creighton Duel on April 30, while three boats earned medals earlier at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship in Tennessee.
For Ross, the team’s journey reflects the mentality of embracing the underdog role.
“This year has really been about proving people wrong,” she said. “We’re young, we have a new head coach, and there’s been so much transition. But instead of letting that define us, we found ways to grow together.”
Ross’s own story mirrors the perseverance she now tries to inspire in her teammates.
The St. Louis native never even imagined rowing competitively until Kansas State reached out to her during high school recruiting. Academics had always been her primary focus, and athletics were never part of her long-term plans.
But after falling in love with the university, she took a leap into the sport.
Her beginning, however, was anything but smooth.
Ross arrived at K-State with a torn ACL and meniscus, forcing her to miss her entire freshman season before she could even properly compete.
Many doubted whether she would stick with rowing after such a difficult start. Instead, the adversity became fuel.
“Being an underdog has taught me so much,” Ross said. “No matter how many people doubt you, if you continue pushing and believe in yourself, you can succeed.”
That mindset has now transformed her into one of the emotional leaders of the Wildcats program.
Off the water, Ross has built an equally impressive résumé.
As an Interior Architecture major, she has earned academic scholarships, completed graduate-level research projects, and designed original furniture pieces that have been showcased publicly. She recently secured a summer internship with Oculus in St. Louis, where she will help design healthcare and federal spaces.
Her success stems from relentless discipline and time management balancing rowing with academics, internships, and leadership positions across campus.
Ross serves on the executive board for SAAC and is also president of Athlete Ally, all while maintaining elite academic standards.
She credits much of her drive to her mother, Liz, who raised her as a single parent.
“I’ve always admired her work ethic and confidence,” Ross said. “She taught me to keep moving forward, put your head down, and work through whatever challenge comes your way.”
Now one of the program’s upperclassmen, Ross understands her role extends far beyond competition.
She hopes to help mentor the younger athletes stepping into bigger responsibilities as the Wildcats continue rebuilding their roster.
“I try to lead by example and earn trust every day,” she explained. “As I’ve grown here, I’ve learned how important it is to give more of yourself to your team, your school, and the people around you.”
That philosophy is exactly what Ross hopes to carry into the Big 12 Championship.
For her, rowing is more than racing. It’s about exhausting every ounce of effort alongside teammates who have battled through adversity together.
“It’s seven minutes of complete effort,” she said. “And when you cross that finish line knowing you gave everything you had, there’s no better feeling.”
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