If power and grace can join forces and walk hand-in-hand toward athletic success then chances are it can take somebody on an unexpected trip around the world.

Just ask Wilton High School junior Celia Kohl.

Whether she's out on the Norwalk River, the world renowned Charles River in Boston, or in some international waters in a far away land, Kohl is at home with a boat underneath her and an oar in her hand.

Regardless of the shell she's in, be it the powerful eight-man or the more technically savvy four-man, she is the epitome of both power and grace.

Five years ago, when she first started rowing, Kohl started a journey she never could have imagined taking.

"It was only five years ago, that's the funny thing," the 16-year-old Kohl said, taking time out to chat last week, before one of her daily three-hour practices. "It all just happened so fast. I can remember back to the first day I started rowing. I had no idea what I was getting into. I didn't even think about having it become such a big part of my life."

Since then, she's gone across the country to compete. In fact, she's gone around the world, competing in last year's Junior World Championships in China, where her team finished eighth.

Next month, Kohl — who rows out of the Maritime Rowing Club in Norwalk — will look to make another World Championship team and hopes to go to Austria to compete as part of the U.S. Junior National team.

"It's obviously an honor," she said. "It's a huge thing. This time last year it was such a shock to me when I made the team. Last year, going into selection camp, I didn't know what to expect. I certainly didn't expect to go to China."

Next month, though, Kohl will be amongst the 49 athletes, aiming for 19 slots in boats bound for the Junior Worlds.

Kohl knows nothing is guaranteed, despite last year's success. But having gone through it once makes her a little more at peace with what to expect this time around.

"I've been through it before so I feel like I've got a leg up," she said. "But every year you get new people who are so competitive and improving. It's just crazy. Your spot is never sealed."

This weekend, Kohl will go to Mercer Lake in Princeton, N.J., and try once again to get an MRC team qualified for the Junior Nationals, where her squad finished second a year ago.

Then comes the national team selection camp, which will be held in New London later in the month. Then, if all goes well, a late July trip to Austria.

After that comes her senior year, more rowing and college. Many schools nationwide have shown an interest in the 6-footer. From UCLA to Stamford to the Ivy League and Virginia, rowing will take Kohl to college.

"Right now, I want to row in college, but I'm just keeping my options open," Kohl said. "If I decide I want to train for the Olympics, I'd probably do that out of college. It'd be a huge decision. Some people go to college just to row, but I want to take advantage of my four years there."

Power. Grace. And smarts.

If that's not something that will take Kohl around the world and back, I don't what else will.

John Nash is the Wilton Villager sports editor. He can be reached at 354-1051, or by e-mail at johnnash@ wiltonvillager.com.