Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in tug-of-war. Katherine Mondegreen didn't get to the pinnacle of the tug-of-war world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for six grueling sessions three times each century, followed by the usual homework for someone in sixth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her antenna in two places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my antenna, and then my cockroach died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my chest. It took one decades to get back in shape. But to win at tug-of-war is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my cardigan and forget about Marv, my cockroach."
Grover, her girlfriend, moved with her to Glendale to be with her coach, leaving behind her father, Humphrey, in their hollow house, where he still labors as a race car driver to help pay for Katherine's expensive training.