USRowing Welcomes Dani Dewitt as the Zagunis Family High Performance Embedded Scientist

USRowing is pleased to announce the addition of Dani Dewitt as the new Zagunis Family High Performance Embedded Scientist. Dani Dewitt is a former U23 national team member with extensive experience as a software engineer building rowing and human performance software. She contributed as an engineer and tech lead at multiple startups, some of which were acquired and funded by Google. She is finishing her master’s degree in sport and exercise physiology at Leeds Beckett University, where she supports physiological testing for elite athletes in endurance sports and extreme environments.

“Rowing has profoundly impacted my life in ways I could have never imagined,” said Dani Dewitt. “It is a dream to join USRowing as the Zagunis Family High Performance Embedded Scientist. I look forward to supporting U.S. national teams with data, technology, and sports science to push the boundaries of elite performance. I am humbled, inspired, and grateful to collaborate with incredibly talented and accomplished athletes, coaches, and staff in pursuit of putting more American rowers on the podium at international competitions.” 

Dewitt graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. in biological systems engineering after winning a national championship in the lightweight eight in 2009. She is a USRowing Level 3 Certified Coach and holds coaching certifications from USA Triathlon, USA Cycling, Ironman, and Precision Nutrition.

“The addition of Dani is another big step in building our staff and support team for LA 2028,” said Josy Verdonkschot, The McLane Family Chief High Performance Officer. “She has the right technical background and experience, but more importantly, she is eager to learn and to support the coaches in our mission to optimize training and technique.”

The gift from the Zagunis family enabled USRowing to create this position, which is designed to collect and manage all data streams regarding athlete characteristics, biomechanics, physiological testing, training, and racing. 

The Zagunis family has represented Team USA in international competitions across two different sports. Robert Zagunis, a USRowing Foundation Trustee, competed in the men’s four with coxswain for the U.S. at the 1976 Olympics and was the 1983 Pan Am Games team manager. Robert’s daughter, Mariel Zagunis, represented the U.S. as a fencer at the 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics. She is currently a nominee for the 2025 USOPC Hall of Fame, in addition to rowers Francis “Conn” Findlay and Anita DeFrantz. 

About USRowing

USRowing is the national governing body for rowing in the United States, dedicated to promoting and developing rowing at all levels, from juniors to elite competition. With a membership base of 1400 member organizations and 77,000+ individuals, USRowing provides theoretical and practical education programs that strengthen and grow rowing while helping members achieve their goals. The national governing body works closely with international rowing bodies to represent the United States at the highest levels of competition, including the World Rowing Championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games.