MARY BETH BLANDING (mb@camprandallrc.org) is the CRRC head coach, and also a teacher (Sun Prairie High School, English, 1998 to the present). Coach Blanding brings to rowing an enthusiasm and an understanding that she is able to translate to her rowers. MB Blanding is a UW alumna and former coach of the Columbia University women’s crew.

Rowing Experience:

• Eighteen Years of Rowing Experience
• Two Collegiate National Titles, 1985 & 1986
• Five Elite National Rowing Titles, 1989 & 1990
• Gold Medals: San Diego Crew Classic,1986; the Canadian Henley,1989; the Eastern Sprints,1985 & 1986; the Head of the Charles,1989; and the Head of the Schuylkill,1986
• Eight Head of the Charles Medals,1985 to present
• National Team Training Center in Boston, MA, 1988 & 1990
• Participation in the National Team Development Camp, 1989
• Participation in the National Team Selection Camp (Narrowly missed a seat on the National Team), 1990

Coaching Experience:

• Seven Years Division I Collegiate Coaching Experience
  • Head Coach at Columbia University, 1991-1996
  • Assistant Coach at the University of Wisconsin, 1988, 1990-91
• Five Years Junior Coaching Experience
  • Windsor HS, Brookline, MA 1989
  • Buckingham Browne & Nicols HS, Boston, MA 1990
  • Mendota Rowing Club, Madison, WI, 2000-2004

Rowing Associations:

• Board Member of the University of Wisconsin Rowing Association, 1999 to present
• Board Member of the Picnic Point Rowing Club, 2002 to present
• Board Member of the Camp Randall Rowing Club, 2003 to present
• Board Member of Midwest Junior Rowing Association, 2006 to present

CPR Certification 2012

BEN KAKER (ben@camprandallrc.org) coaches the CRRC varsity boys and teaches 1st grade at Crestwood School, Madison, WI.

Rowing Experience:

• Wisconsin Novice Rowing: 1997-1998
• Wisconsin Novice 2nd Place Open 4+ IRA Championships (1998)
• Wisconsin Men’s Varsity Rowing: 1998-2002
• Wisconsin Men’s Varsity 1st place 3rd Varsity 8+ Eastern Sprints (2000)
• Wisconsin Men’s Varsity 1st place Varsity 4+ IRA Championship (2000)
• Wisconsin Men’s Varsity 1st place 3rd Varsity 8+ Eastern Sprints (2001)
• Wisconsin Men’s Varsity 2nd place Varsity 4+ IRA Championship (2001)
• Wisconsin Men’s Varsity 7th place Champ 8+ Head of the Charles (2001)
• Wisconsin Men’s Varsity 3rd place 2nd Varsity 8+ Eastern Sprints (2002)

Education:

• Masters in Education from National Louis University (2006)
• Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, University of Wisconsin (2002)
• Graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School, Sheboygan Falls, WI, (1997)

US Rowing Level II Coaching Certification 2012

CPR and First Aid Certification 2012

Interests: Big Brothers/Big Sisters (mentor 2003-present), basketball, volleyball, fishing and being outdoors

MELINDA ROSE MILES  (melinda@camprandallrc.org) is an assistant varsity boys’ coach.

Rowing Experience:

• 2 time Dad Vail Gold Medalist – 2006 Novice 8, 2007 Varsity 8
• 1 time Dad Vail Bronze Medalist – 2008 Varsity 8
• 1 time SIRA Gold Medalist – 2008 Varsity 8
• 1 time SIRA Bronze Medalist – 2009 Varsity 8
• Invitation to Windermere Cup, Seattle, Washington – 2007 Varsity 8
• First Place, Elkhart Indoor Erg Sprints
• Member of 2008 ACRA All-American Team
• 2009 Most Valuable Oarswoman

US Rowing Level II Coaching Certification 2012

CPR and First Aid Certification 2012

LESLIE DRESSLER (leslie@camprandallrc.org) is the novice boys coach. She has a master’s degree from the UW-Madison.

Coaching Experience:

• 2009-2010 – New Trier High School
• 2009 – St. Ignatius High School
• 2009 – Lincoln Park Boat Club
• 1996-1997 – Mendota Rowing Club Adult and Junior Learn to Row

Collegiate Rowing Experience – University of Washington – Seattle:

• 2000-2001 2V+, NCAA Team Title Winner
• 1999-2000 2V+, NCAA Team Title 2nd Place
• 1999-2001 Varsity Boat Club Officer (Captains council)
• 1999-2000 Washington Student Academic Advisory Council Member
• 1998 (Summer) Wisconsin USRowing Development Camp
• 1997-1998 Freshman Team Captain
• 1997-1998 Undefeated Novice Women’s 8+

High School Rowing Experience – Mendota Rowing Club:

• 1996-1997 Junior WV4+, 7th place USRowing Youth Nationals
• 1997 Team Captain
• 1996-7 MRC Junior Board Member

US Rowing Level II Coaching Certification 2012

CPR and First Aid Certification 2012

CLAIRE MCNICHOLAS (claire@camprandallrc.org) is assistant girls’ varsity coach.

Rowing Experience:

CRRC 2004-2006: Novice 8+ 2004-2005, Varsity 8+ 2005-2006.Coach’s Choice Award 2005, Golden Hammer Award 2005, Captain Spring 2006.

Boston University 2006-2010: Novice 8+ 2006-2007, Varsity 4+ 2007-2008,  2V8+ 2008-2010.

Team Leader/Captain 2009-2010. Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar Athlete Award 2009, 2010. Senior Scholar  Athlete Award, 2010.

2008 Competitor at Henley Women’s Regatta,  Henley-On-Thames, England. 4 year competitor at Head of the Charles Regatta,  Princeton Chase, Charles River Challenge & Eastern Sprints.

Education: B.S. in Journalism, Boston University.

US Rowing Level II Coaching Certification 2012

CPR and First Aid Certification 2012

Kelsey Wallner (kelsey@camprandallrc.org) is co-coaching the novice girls’ team.

Rowing experience:

• Camp Randall Rowing Club, 2006-2010
• -2007 Varsity 4+ Head of the Charles Competitor
• -2009 won 5th place in Varsity 4+ at Head of the Charles
• -2007 Most Inspirational Novice Award
• -2008 Varsity Coach’s Choice Award
• -2009-10 Team Co-Captain
• University of Wisconsin Rowing, 2010-2011
  -1st Novice 8+, 3rd Place at 2011 Lake Natoma Invite
  -2nd Novice 8+, 2nd Place at 2011 Big Ten Championships

Education:
-Currently a UW-Madison student studying Political Science, Gender and Women’s Studies, and Spanish
-West High School Class of 2010

US Rowing Level II Coaching Certification 2012

CPR and First Aid Certification 2012

 

Amanda Montgomery (amanda@camprandallrc.org)  is co-coaching the novice girls’ team.

US Rowing Level II Coaching Certification 2012

CPR and First Aid Certification 2012

Bronwyn Knaebe (bronwyn@camprandallrc.org) is a We Can Row coach.                                      

Rowing Experience:

• Mendota Juniors – 2 years
• Wisconsin Rowing – 2 years
• Novice 8 Big Ten Champions
• Novice 8 Central REgion Champions
• Varsity 4+ NCAA – Silver Medal
• 2010 2V8+ Big Ten Champions
• 2010 UW Bin Ten Championship Team
• 2010 2V8+ Central REgion Champions
• 2010 2V8+ NCAA – 7th place
• 2010 Academic All Big Ten

Education: Currently UW – Madison student -Dietetics Major. Swimming instructor at Hill Farm Swim Club – 5 yrs experience. Life Guarding and CPR certifited.

High School – Madison West High High school swimming: 4 year letter winner and 4 year state qualifier.   All-American Swimmer Award – 2years.

US Rowing Level II Coaching Certification 2012

Kristi Johnson (kristi@camprandallrc.org) is a We Can Row assistant coach.   

Rowing Experience:

Wisconsin Novice Rowing 2005, Varsity Rowing 2006-2009

Kristi graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in Kinesiology in 2009, and is now currently studying Physical Therapy at UW-Madison.  Kristi started rowing in college, and was a member of the Wisconsin novice and varsity rowing team for four years under coach Bebe Bryans.  Outside of rowing, Kristi enjoys swimming, running, biking, skiing, and basically any other outdoor activity.

US Rowing Level II Coaching Certification 2012