USRowing Announces Selection Development Camp and Pathways Development Camp Coaches

USRowing's Selection Development Camp (SDC) and Pathways Development Camp (PDC) will once again feature an accomplished roster of coaches, Olympians, and athlete development professionals dedicated to helping the nation's top young rowers reach their potential. From Olympic medalists and national team leaders to some of the most successful scholastic and collegiate coaches in the country, athletes will have the opportunity to learn from an exceptional group of mentors this summer.

Selection Development Camp

Lorna Rundle, Head Coach

Lorna Rundle brings extensive international racing experience and a proven record of developing young athletes to her role as Women's Head Coach. A former Great Britain national team athlete, Rundle represented Great Britain at the U19 and U23 World Championships and won three national titles during her competitive career. Since taking over the Montclair High School rowing program in 2009 alongside her husband, Jeremy Michalitsianos, she has helped build one of the most successful scholastic programs in the country, leading athletes to numerous Stotesbury Cup, SRAA National, and USRowing Youth National Championships medals while developing multiple U19 and U23 national team athletes.

Paul Bugenhagen, Head Coach

Paul Bugenhagen serves as the Director of Rowing at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and has established himself as one of the most successful collegiate coaches in the country. Over more than two decades of coaching, he has led programs at Hobart, William Smith, Bucknell, and Vesper Boat Club, earning multiple Coach of the Year honors while guiding crews to conference championships, national medals, and international success. Bugenhagen has coached athletes at every level of the sport, including U19, U23, and senior national team programs, and has helped develop numerous national team members and championship-winning crews.

Assistant Coaches

The Selection Development Camp staff combines experienced collegiate and youth coaches, accomplished international athletes, and rising leaders in athlete development.

Conny Kirsch is a former German national team athlete and Junior World Champion who brings more than 16 years of collegiate coaching experience, including successful tenures at UCF, Indiana, and UMass.
Delaney McGuire currently serves as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Eastern Michigan University and represented the United States at the 2018 World University Championships.
Eric Dilworth brings experience coaching within the junior rowing pathway and recently served as Head Varsity Boys Coach at Texas Rowing Center.
Erin Hayes is an assistant coach at the University of Alabama whose athletes have earned multiple Youth National Championship medals, including a gold medal in the Women's Youth 4+ in 2024.
Alex Kincaid serves as Head Coach of Men's Rowing at Washington College and has previously coached at the U.S. Naval Academy and Catholic University.
Walker Ferris has coached within USRowing's U19 development system since 2017 and helped guide athletes to national championships and regional success throughout his career.

Athlete Development Team

Supporting athletes away from the water is a dedicated athlete development staff led by Caitlin Boon, whose background spans collegiate athletics, athlete services, and rowing coaching. She is joined by Dan Bardsley, Graham Hall, Haley O'Donnell, and additional athlete development contractors who help athletes build skills in leadership, wellness, personal growth, and performance development throughout the camp experience.

Additional support is provided by Mike Gentile (Detroit Boat Club), Hugh McAdams (USRowing) and Stephanie Fryer (USRowing).

Pathways Development Camp

The Pathways Development Camp coaching staff features an exceptional collection of Olympians, national team coaches, and program leaders who collectively represent decades of experience at the highest levels of rowing.

Amanda Polk Sobolewski, Girls Pairs Camp Lead

A two-time Olympian and 2016 Olympic gold medalist in the Women's Eight, Amanda Polk Sobolewski enters her fourth year with the Pathways Development Camp. A five-time World Champion and member of multiple world record-setting crews, Sobolewski's career spans nearly every level of international rowing. Having first represented the United States as a junior athlete, she brings a unique perspective on the pathway from junior rowing to Olympic success and serves as an invaluable mentor for developing athletes.

Micah Boyd, Boys Pairs Camp Lead

Olympic bronze medalist Micah Boyd brings both elite racing credentials and extensive coaching experience to his leadership role. Boyd earned bronze in the Men's Eight at the 2008 Olympic Games and was named USRowing Athlete of the Year following that season. Since retiring from competition, he has coached at both the collegiate and junior levels, earning recognition for athlete development and program leadership.

Al Morrow

One of the most accomplished coaches in international rowing history, Al Morrow competed for Canada at the 1976 Olympic Games before embarking on a legendary coaching career. He coached at ten Olympic Games and twenty World Championships and helped Canadian athletes win a combined 25 Olympic and World Championship medals. In 1999, World Rowing named him Coach of the Year.

Chris Chase

Chris Chase has spent nearly 30 years shaping athlete development in American rowing. As former Director of Junior and Masters Rowing and Safety for USRowing, he oversaw the U19 National Team system and helped create the American Development Model. His expertise in athlete development, coaching education, and program growth continues to impact rowing programs nationwide.

Olympians on Staff

Athletes at the Pathways Development Camp will also learn from an outstanding group of Olympians and international medalists, including:

Daniel Beery – Olympic Gold Medalist (Men's Eight, 2004) and multiple-time World Champion.
Megan (Dirkmaat) McCourt – Olympic Silver Medalist and World Champion with six U.S. National Team appearances.
Megan Kalmoe – Four-time Olympian, Olympic bronze medalist, and World Champion.
Sam Stitt – 2008 Olympian and longtime U.S. National Team sculler.

Additional Coaching Staff

The remainder of the Pathways Development Camp staff includes an impressive collection of collegiate coaches, former national team athletes, and junior development leaders from across the country, including Alex Williams, Cory Sanderson, Gabe Winkler, Garrison Smith, Grace Malacrida, Hadleigh Weber, Izzie Brown, James Martinez, Larkin Brown, Leah Pearman, Maddux Castle, Ryan Brown, Zoe Tekeian, Victoria Gevaudan, Sean McCourt, and others who bring expertise from every level of the sport.

For complete coaching biographies and staff information, visit the Pathways Development Camp staff page here.