Sidney’s Lilee Wieser commits to Kansas State rowing team

SIDNEY, Neb. — Sidney High School senior Lilee Wieser is taking an unconventional path to the next level, committing Wednesday to the Kansas State women’s rowing program despite never competing in the sport.

Wieser signed at Sidney High School after being recruited by Kansas State head coach Kennedy Felice, who first reached out during Wieser’s junior year.

“The first one, I totally ignored it,” Wieser said. “You get all the papers for basketball and volleyball to come see camps and come on a visit. This one looked a lot different and it also had one thing that stuck out to me and it was you had to be 5-foot-9 or taller.”

Kansas State coaches evaluated Wieser through her performances in volleyball and basketball, drawn to her athletic build and competitiveness. She made her first visit during her junior year and later returned for an official visit as a senior.

During that visit, Wieser got a firsthand look at the demands of collegiate rowing.

“I stayed the night with one of the rowers. I went to three of their practices, two of their workouts and we got to eat with them,” she said. “I was like, ‘this is probably going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, if I decide to do this.’”

Wieser said the intensity of the program ultimately sold her.

“It’s such a commitment that will hold you accountable. That’s what I need in my life. I’m such a competitive person and I’m not ready to give that up,” she said. “It’s a crazy opportunity and I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t do it.”

Wieser has been a multi-sport standout at Sidney, helping the Lady Raiders reach the state volleyball tournament her freshman year and the state basketball tournament three times, including a runner-up finish her junior season. She also competed in track and field and participated in 4-H, earning student of the month honors in January.

Despite her athletic background, Wieser said she has yet to row and will focus on building core strength and endurance before joining the team.

“You’re just held so accountable. The intensity of it every day, that’ll be my ‘go,’” she said.

At Kansas State, Wieser will compete in four- and eight-person boats, with the primary season taking place in the spring. She plans to study elementary education and psychology with the goal of becoming a school psychologist.

Wieser said she also considered continuing her basketball career at Doane and Nebraska Wesleyan before choosing rowing.

She credited Sidney coaches, teachers and administrators for helping shape her path to this opportunity.