2015 WOMEN’S 2015 WOMEN’S ROWING ROWING

1WOMEN’S ROWING 1WOMEN’S ROWING

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

www.CGASports.comwww.CGASports.comCREDITSThe 2015Women’s Rowing Media Guide is a publicationof the Coast Guard Academy’s Athletic Media Relations Offi ce.

Table of Contents 12015 Roster 2Season Preview 3The Coast Guard Academy 4-5Coast Guard Superintendent 6Director of Athletics 7Athletics Facilities 8-9Strength & Conditioning 10Staff Directory 11

Coast Guard Women’s Rowing

Coaching Staff 12-13Player Bios 14-162013 Results/Program History 172015 Schedule Back Cover

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2015 ROSTERName Yr. Hometown

Laura Beck So. Tucson, Az.Zoe Bulling Fr. Henrico, Va.Victoria Castleberry Fr. Southbridge, Va.Brynna Cooke Sr. Salem, Conn.Elaine Dana Sr. Sacramento, Ca.Kathryn Haerr Fr. Plano, TexasTess Heimerman Fr. Washington, D.C.Mackenzy Karnehm Fr. Urbana, OhioSarah Kukich Jr. East Lyme, Conn.Alyssa Laystrom Fr. Lake Zurich, Ill.Savannah Lyle So. Nashville, Tenn.Karisa Maurer Jr. Flagstaff , Az.Silvia Rodriguez-Rios Fr. PANAMAMegan Sackett So. Bow, N.H.Tara Strauss Fr. Sarasota, Fla.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Jodi Hope

Captains Brynna Cooke, Elaine Dana

/CoastGuardAcademyAthletics

@CoastGuardBears

CGASPORTS.COMELAINE DANA, TESS HEIMERMAN, ALYSSA LAYSTROM

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SEASON PREVIEWSEASON PREVIEW

2015 Season Preview

Senior co-captains Brynna Cooke and Elaine

Dana will lead the Bears in this season, both are

four year members of the program.

Cooke was a member of the Varsity 8 in 2012

that competed at the NCAA Championships and

the Bears will look to her leadership to mentor

the younger athletes about race preparation and

competing at high level.

Dana, who has endured health issues during

the last two seasons, which have limited, but not

stopped her, sets a great example for the team

about perseverance and giving the most of what

you have. She will be counted on for leadership

and keeping the team optimistic and focused on

goals.

“Brynna and Dana have shown great tenacity and

have been excellent examples for their younger

counterparts, both as athletes and as cadets of

high character,” said Coast Guard head coach Jodi

Hope. “These women have guided and molded the

team into the tight-knit unit we have this spring,

and have infl uenced the team culture to be very

positive, inclusive, and respectful.”

Coast Guard will see defending National

Champion Trinity, NCAA participant Wellesley

and Clark to open the season on March 28th in

Worcester. This will give the coaching staff a lot of

information about where they stand in the New

England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference

(NEWMAC) and help prepare the Bears for the

NEWMAC Championship on April 18th.

The Bears will host another NEWMAC foe Mount

Holyoke on March 25th. The Bears and Lyons had

closely contested races during the championship

races last season.

A pair of freshmen, Alyssa Laystrom from Lake

Zurich, Illinois and Tara Strauss from Sarasota,

Florida will make an immediate impact and are

expected to be part of the Varsity 8 this season.

Junior Karisa Maurer, sophomores Savannah Lyle

and Laura Beck and freshman Victoria Castleberry

will also be part of the Bears Varsity 8 while Dana,

junior Sarah Kucich and freshman Zoe Bolling are

all battling for a spot in the Varsity 8 this season.

This season promises to be an exciting season

of seeking out the fastest boat combinations

between the Varsity 8 and Varsity 4, Coast Guard is

looking to have two very competitive crews.

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One of the smallest of the fi ve U.S. One of the smallest of the fi ve U.S.

Military AcademiesMilitary Academies

Four-Year Bachelor’s of Science degree Four-Year Bachelor’s of Science degree

programprogram

Founded in 1876 aboard the schooner Founded in 1876 aboard the schooner

DobbinDobbin

Highly selective admissions standardsHighly selective admissions standards

No tuition, traditional application No tuition, traditional application

processprocess

No congressional nomination necessaryNo congressional nomination necessary

Education includes academics, physical Education includes academics, physical

fi tness, character and leadership fi tness, character and leadership

developmentdevelopment

85 percent of graduates choose to serve 85 percent of graduates choose to serve

beyond their fi ve-year commitmentbeyond their fi ve-year commitment

Two graduates have been NASA Two graduates have been NASA

AstronautsAstronauts

80 percent of graduates go to graduate 80 percent of graduates go to graduate

school (most paid for by Coast Guard)school (most paid for by Coast Guard)

COAST GUARD ACADEMYCOAST GUARD ACADEMY

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COAST GUARD QUICK FACTSThe Coast Guard Academy has 25 Intercollegiate

sports (12 men’s, 10 women’s, 3 co-ed)

The Bears have been members of the New England

Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) in

15 sports since 1999

Coast Guard has won NEWMAC championships

in Volleyball, Men’s Swimming, Men’s Basketball,

Women’s Crew and Softball

Teams have competed in the ECAC Championship

tournament in men’s soccer, men’s basketball, women’s

basketball, baseball and softball in the past fi ve years

The Bears have advanced to the NCAA Tournament

Elite 8 in both Volleyball (2006) and Men’s Basketball

(2007-08)

COAST GUARD ACADEMY CORPS OF CADETS

DEMOGRAPHICS

- about 1,000 cadets enrolled- 48 states and 11 foreign nations represented- 100% of students housed on campus- 20 NCAA Division III athletic teams- 31% of cadets are women- 22% of cadets are minorities- 1 faculty member for every 8 students- 19 Cadets in an average class

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REAR ADMIRAL SANDRA L. STOSZACADEMY SUPERINTENDENTFOURTH YEAR

Rear Admiral Sandra L. Stosz assumed the duties of the 40th Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New

London, Connecticut, June 3, 2011. She reported to the Academy after serving as the Director of Reserve and Leadership at

Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. There she was responsible for developing policies to recruit, train and support

approximately 8,100 Coast Guard Reservists.

Rear Admiral Stosz is a surface operations offi cer with 12 years at sea, including command of two cutters – an icebreaking

tug on the Great Lakes and a medium endurance cutter that patrolled North Atlantic and Caribbean waters. She and her

crews executed many of the Coast Guard’s 11 missions such as drug and alien migrant interdiction, fi sheries enforcement,

search and rescue, polar and domestic icebreaking and ports and waterways security.

Between sea duty tours Rear Admiral Stosz specialized in personnel and resource management and program review. She

served tours of duty as Chief of Offi cer Assignments and as Program Reviewer and Acquisition Funds Coordinator for Coast

Guard major systems acquisitions, including the 225-foot buoy tenders and 87-foot coastal patrol boats. She broadened her

experience as the Secretary of Transportation’s military assistant and years later as the Commandant’s executive assistant.

She has served as Commanding Offi cer of the Coast Guard’s recruit training center in Cape May, New Jersey and as Director of

Coast Guard Enterprise Strategic Management and Doctrine where she was responsible for aligning enterprise level strategic

and management functions with the Commandant’s strategic intent.

Rear Admiral Stosz graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1982 with a bachelor of science degree in Government.

She was awarded a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University’s J. L. Kellogg Graduate School

of Management in 1994. In 2000 she completed an executive fellowship in national security through the MIT Seminar XXI

program, and she earned a Master of National Security Strategy from the National War College in 2004. In 2009 she attended

the Navy’s Executive Business Course at University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler business school.

Rear Admiral Stosz’s personal awards include three Legion of Merit Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, two Coast

Guard Commendation Medals and two Coast Guard Achievement Medals.

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DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICSDIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

TIM FITZPATRICKDIRECTOR OF ATHLETICSFOURTH YEAR

Tim Fitzpatrick is in his fourth year as Director of Athletics at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and on his watch the USCGA’s athletic program has seen growth in several key areas. In addition to securing a comprehensive, fi ve-year shoe and apparel agreement with adidas America for the academy’s 21 NCAA sports, has overseen a rebranding initiative that has resulted in new logos and marks and created an athletic booster organization (the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Bear Club). Under Fitzpatrick’s guidance, the department produced its fi rst-ever women’s professional development seminar (the Women’s LeadHERship Symposium) for female USCGA athletic staff members as well as attendees from colleges and universities throughout New England, and has launched an external program for sale of corporate sponsorships and partnerships.

Fitzpatrick was the Director of Athletics at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for two years prior to his arrival at USCGA, after spending the previous four years as the Deputy Athletic Director at Indiana University. At Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, Fitzpatrick secured major gifts for construction of a new outdoor tennis center, as well as renovation of the university’s baseball and softball stadiums. He additionally served on the NCAA’s Division I Women’s Basketball Issues Committee while in south Texas, and executed a strategic plan which increased the department’s corporate sponsorship revenue by nearly 40%.

While at Indiana, he was responsible for internal administration of the department, oversaw capital construction and facilities management, and had oversight of the football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball programs. Additionally, Fitzpatrick managed IU’s external units, including marketing, ticket operations, licensing, merchandising, website, and publications.

Additionally, he negotiated a 6-year, $21,000,000 shoe and apparel agreement with adidas America and administered the Hoosiers’ multi-media partnerships with Learfi eld Sports and the Big Ten Network. During his tenure, Indiana realized a ticket sales revenue increase of 15-percent over annual budgeted projections.

Fitzpatrick came to IU after spending the previous fi ve years as COO and associate athletics director for external operations at the U.S. Military Academy. Fitzpatrick directed a fundraising eff ort that saw Army’s “A Club” donor base grow from 750 to 6,700 and annual giving grow from $500,000

to $1.8 million. He also cultivated the Army Sports Network from two radio stations to 18, including 50,000-watt ESPN 1050 in New York City. During his tenure at West Point, corporate sponsorship revenue jumped from $250,000 to $920,000 annually.

He arrived at West Point from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, where he served as the associate athletics director for external aff airs and executive director of the athletic foundation. Fitzpatrick’s work at Charlotte resulted in a 26-percent increase in annual gifts and a 39-percent increase in planned gifts.

Prior to Army and Charlotte, Fitzpatrick served in a similar role at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to serving as the men’s basketball sport administrator, he directed a staff that generated a school record $1.4 million in sponsorship revenue and a $125,000 increase in annual giving.

Fitzpatrick was a senior associate athletics director at the University of North Texas from May 1994 to June 1996. He was instrumental in UNT’s transition from NCAA Division I-AA football to the Big West Conference, and during the 1994 football season, North Texas was one of three programs nationally to have every football game televised in its home market. This local television package generated more than $700,000 in corporate sponsorship revenue.

He gained considerable experience as Assistant Commissioner of the Southwest Conference from 1992-94. Fitzpatrick negotiated a $2.25 million, three-year men’s basketball tournament title sponsorship with the Dr. Pepper Company, and he also oversaw the league’s national and local television syndication eff orts.

Fitzpatrick began his athletic administration career as the assistant marketing director at Army before moving on to Virginia Commonwealth as the director of marketing and Ticket Sales (1984-87) and Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing and Public Relations from 1987-92.

A 1981 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College with a bachelor’s degree in English, Fitzpatrick earned his master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University in 1982.

Tim is married to Kerry Marks, and they have a son, James.

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COAST GUARD ACADEMYCOAST GUARD ACADEMYNITCHMAN TRACK & FIELD COMPLEXNITCHMAN TRACK & FIELD COMPLEX

The Track & Field Complex was The Track & Field Complex was

constructed in the summer of 2007 constructed in the summer of 2007

fi rst used for the men’s and women’s fi rst used for the men’s and women’s

soccer games that Fall. The FieldTurf soccer games that Fall. The FieldTurf

surface lies on the banks of the surface lies on the banks of the

beautiful Thames River and is also beautiful Thames River and is also

home to the men’s and women’s track home to the men’s and women’s track

& fi eld program.& fi eld program.

COMMANDER JOHN MERRIMAN GYMCOMMANDER JOHN MERRIMAN GYM

Merriman Gymnasium is home to Merriman Gymnasium is home to

the women’s volleyball program and the women’s volleyball program and

the men’s and women’s basketball the men’s and women’s basketball

programs. The gym holds three programs. The gym holds three

basketball courts used for varsity basketball courts used for varsity

practices and games, as well as practices and games, as well as

intramural competition. The 1200-seat intramural competition. The 1200-seat

facility has been home to numerous facility has been home to numerous

league and regional championships.league and regional championships.

ROLAND POOLROLAND POOL

Roland Pool is home to our men’s Roland Pool is home to our men’s

and women’s swimming and diving and women’s swimming and diving

program. The eight-lane, 50-yard pool program. The eight-lane, 50-yard pool

is also used daily for athletic training is also used daily for athletic training

programs for our cadet-athletes, programs for our cadet-athletes,

physical education courses, as well as physical education courses, as well as

military training programs necessary military training programs necessary

to carry out the missions of the Coast to carry out the missions of the Coast

Guard for all cadets. Guard for all cadets.

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NITCHMAN BASEBALL FIELDNITCHMAN BASEBALL FIELD

Nelson Nitchman Field is home of the Nelson Nitchman Field is home of the

Coast Guard Academy baseball team. The Coast Guard Academy baseball team. The

picturesque view from the fi eld overlooks picturesque view from the fi eld overlooks

the Thames River.the Thames River.

NITCHMAN SOFTBALL FIELD NITCHMAN SOFTBALL FIELD

Nelson Nitchman Field is home of the Nelson Nitchman Field is home of the

softball team. The Bears have enjoyed softball team. The Bears have enjoyed

tremendous success winning three of tremendous success winning three of

the last four NEWMAC tournament the last four NEWMAC tournament

championships and going to the NCAA championships and going to the NCAA

tournament four straight seasons (2009-tournament four straight seasons (2009-

2012).2012).

CADET MEMORIAL FIELDCADET MEMORIAL FIELD

Cadet Memorial Field was made into a Cadet Memorial Field was made into a

FieldTurf surface in 2004 as a gift from the FieldTurf surface in 2004 as a gift from the

Class of 1952. The facility features a two-Class of 1952. The facility features a two-

story press box that includes two coaches story press box that includes two coaches

rooms, a room for radio broadcasting rooms, a room for radio broadcasting

and video recording, space for media and video recording, space for media

personnel, and two lounge lounge areas personnel, and two lounge lounge areas

for additional for additional

seating. The 1500-seating. The 1500-

seat stadium seat stadium

overlooks the overlooks the

Thames River and the Thames River and the

Gold Star Memorial Gold Star Memorial

Bridge.Bridge.

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Coast Guard Athletics has two weight Coast Guard Athletics has two weight

rooms, each featuring state-of-the-rooms, each featuring state-of-the-

art equipment for our cadets and art equipment for our cadets and

cadet-athletes to use to improve their cadet-athletes to use to improve their

overall health and fi tness. The facility overall health and fi tness. The facility

in Roland Hall is dedicated to free-in Roland Hall is dedicated to free-

weight exercising while our Billard weight exercising while our Billard

Hall facility holds our nautilus, cardio, Hall facility holds our nautilus, cardio,

and other guided machine equipment.and other guided machine equipment.

Joe CrozierJoe CrozierStrength and Conditioning CoachStrength and Conditioning CoachJoe Crozier is in his third year as the head of the Joe Crozier is in his third year as the head of the Strength and Conditioning Program with the Coast Strength and Conditioning Program with the Coast Guard Athletic Department. Crozier came to the Guard Athletic Department. Crozier came to the Academy from California State University-Chico Academy from California State University-Chico where he earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise where he earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology and his masters degree in kinesiology. physiology and his masters degree in kinesiology. Joe is a Certifi ed Strength and Conditioning Coach Joe is a Certifi ed Strength and Conditioning Coach with distinction through the National Strength and with distinction through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and Certifi ed Personal Conditioning Association and Certifi ed Personal Trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine. Trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine. Joe designs and implements workout regimens Joe designs and implements workout regimens for all of our varsity sport programs. Working with for all of our varsity sport programs. Working with teams both in-season and out-of-season, Joe’s focus teams both in-season and out-of-season, Joe’s focus is to better prepare athletes for competition by is to better prepare athletes for competition by concentrating on sport-specifi c programs designed concentrating on sport-specifi c programs designed to achieve the ultimate level of success. Coast Guard’s to achieve the ultimate level of success. Coast Guard’s strength and conditioning program is dedicated strength and conditioning program is dedicated to ensure each cadet-athlete is equipped with the to ensure each cadet-athlete is equipped with the correct instruction, knowledge and guidance to correct instruction, knowledge and guidance to reach their peak performance level and to decrease reach their peak performance level and to decrease the potential for injuries. Our program also preaches the potential for injuries. Our program also preaches the importance of a proper, nutritionally balanced the importance of a proper, nutritionally balanced diet as well as appropriate pre-game and post-game diet as well as appropriate pre-game and post-game routines to ensure safe preparation, performance, and routines to ensure safe preparation, performance, and recuperation for each contest.recuperation for each contest.

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STAFF DIRECTORYSTAFF DIRECTORY

ADMINISTRATIONName Title Phone Tim Fitzpatrick Director of Athletics 860-444-8600 Dan Rose Associate AD/Director of 860-701-6798 Physical Education Tim Opstrup Assistant AD/Business Manager 860-444-8602 Chris Parsons Assistant AD/Compliance 860-701-6197 Jason Southard Director of Media Relations 860-701-6800 Casey McGarvey Media Relations Assistant Art Lamoureux Director of Athletic Operations 860-444-8601 Andrea Stewart Senior Women’s Administrator 860-701-6799Donna Koczajowski Senior Women’s Administrator 860-444-8604 Katherine Bossardet Associate Offi ce Manager 860-444-8600 Vi Oliver Administrative Assistant 860-444-8580 Joe Crozier Strength and Conditioning Coach 860-444-8409 Bruce Cobb Head Equipment Manager 860-444-8608 Marc Grindstaff Assistant Equipment Manager 860-444-8606

ATHLETIC TRAININGName Title Phone

Ken Niedzwiecki Head Athletic Trainer 860-444-8619 Kevin Colasurdo Assistant Athletic Trainer 860-701-6618 TBA Assistant Athletic Trainer 860-701-6415 Jake Ibey Assistant Athletic Trainer 860-701-6416 Shannon Nickels Assistant Athletic Trainer 860-701-6617

BASEBALLName Title Phone

C.C. Grant Head Coach 860-444-8581 Kevin Jaskiewicz Assistant Coach 860-701-6132Dan Bradley Pitching Coach

FOOTBALLName Title Phone

Bill George Head Coach 860-444-8584 Dana Fleischmann Co-Defensive Coordinator/ 860-444-8605 Recruiting CoordinatorC.C. Grant Co-Defensive Coordinator 860-444-8581 Ray LaForte Off ensive Coordinator 860-701-6805Jordan Berrian Wide Receivers 860-701-6767 Jay Driscoll Defensive Line Pat Knowles Tight Ends/Quality Control Don Miller Running Backs

MEN’S BASKETBALLName Title Phone

Kevin Jaskiewicz Head Coach 860-701-6132 Bob Bono Associate Head Coach 860-444-8588

MEN’S CREWName Title Phone

Colin Regan Head Coach Mike Shugrue Interim Men’s Head Coach 860-444-8679

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRYName Title Phone

Ethan Brown Head Coach 860-444-8590 Greg Ahnrud Assistant Coach Mariette Ogg Assistant Coach

MEN’S LACROSSEName Title Phone

Ray LaForte Head Coach 860-701-6805 Mike Higbie Assistant CoachPat Powers Assistant Coach MEN’S SOCCERName Title Phone

Chris Parsons Head Coach 860-701-6197 Patrick McCarney Assistant Coach Anthony Occhialini Goalkeeper Coach

MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVINGName Title Phone

John Westkott Head Coach 860-444-8586 Mary Westkott Assistant Coach 860-701-6374 Ken Pancoast Diving Coach

MEN’S TENNISName Title Phone

Mike Turdo Head Coach

PISTOL & RIFLEName Title Phone Richard Hawkins Shooting Sports Coach 860-701-6886 SAILINGName Title Phone

Doug Clark Director of Sailing 860-444-8577 Jack Neades Head Off shore Coach 860-701-6291 Brian Swingly Head Intercollegiate Coach 860-444-8325

SOFTBALLName Title Phone

Donna Koczajowski Head Coach 860-444-8604 Amanda Illinger Associate Head Coach Dana Fleischmann Assistant Coach WOMEN’S BASKETBALLName Title Phone Alex Ivansheck Head Coach 860-701-6594 Jessica Farley Assistant Coach 860-701-6960 Scott Hawk Assistant Coach Catherine Lewis Assistant Coach

WOMEN’S ROWINGName Title Phone

Jen Meuse Rowing Coordinator 860-444-8679 Jodi Hope Head Coach

WOMEN’S LACROSSEName Title Phone

Ruth Ness Head Coach 860-701-6744

WOMEN’S SOCCERName Title Phone Susan Grant Head Coach 860-444-8582 Amanda Illinger Assistant Coach Beth Nakagawa Assistant Coach Anthony Occhialini Goalkeeper Coach

WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVINGName Title Phone John Westkott Head Coach 860-444-8586 Mary Westkott Assistant Coach 860-701-6374

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALLName Title Phone

TBA

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRYName Title Phone

Ethan Brown Head Coach 860-444-8590 Greg Ahnrud Assistant Coach Mariette Ogg Assistant Coach WRESTLINGName Title Phone Kevin Bratland Head Coach 860-701-6595Omi Acosta Assistant Coach

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JEN MEUSE ROWING COORDINATOR JENNIFER.A.MEUSE @USCGA.EDU

Jen is in her seventh season at the Academy. She began her coaching career at the University of Connecticut, where, upon graduation, she was asked to make the transition from athlete to coach and head up UConn’s novice women’s program, where she remained through May of 2000.

Meuse led the Bears to a berth in the NCAA Division III Rowing Championship last season and was named the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Coach of the Year.

A move to Groton during the summer of that same year brought Coach Meuse to the United States Coast Guard Academy where she was honored to join the Bears coaching staff , under then head coach, Steve Hargis. Jen worked for the Bears as the novice women’s coach through May of 2003. During this time, she led the novice women to a NEWMAC championship title and helped in building a strong foundation for the team’s 2003 and 2004 NCAA appearances, placing 3rd in the V8 and 4th overall in 2003, and 5th in the V8 in 2004. Upon completion of the Spring 2003 season, Meuse left the Academy to add to her family.

After a few years off and another quick stint coaching at her alma mater, Jen returned to Coast Guard. In addition, Coach Meuse has been named Rowing Coordinator for both the men and women’s programs for the 2010-2011 year. Jen’s main interest in this role is as acting steward of the amazing 40-year legacy that is Coast Guard Rowing.

JODI HOPEHEAD COACH JODI.A.HOPE@USCGA.EDU

Jodi Hope is in her fi rst season as head coach after serving as the interim head coach last season. She was also an assistant coach for the Bears for one season. Hope was previously an assistant coach at Division III-rival William Smith College from 2009-2012, and also coached at her alma mater, the University of Connecticut, from 2005-2008.

During Hope’s time at William Smith, the Herons made three consecutive appearances at the NCAA Championships, earning third-place medals in the Varsity 8 event and capturing the fourth place overall team trophy in 2012. The Herons earned back-to-back Liberty League Championship titles in 2011-2012 and the New York State Championship title in 2012. The William Smith squad was honored by the Liberty League Conference with the Crew of the Year and Coaching Staff of the Year awards in 2011 and 2012, as well as the Liberty League Novice Crew of the Year award in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

At UConn, Hope was on staff for two years as a Graduate Assistant Coach while earning a Master of Arts degree in Education, followed by one year as an Assistant Coach. In 2006, Hope worked primarily with the squad’s fours, leading the second varsity four to silver medals at the Big East Championship, and in 2007 Hope coached the novice 8 to bronze medals at the Big East and Dad Vail Regatta Championships.

Hope competed for four years at UConn, capping her career with back-to-back gold medals at the Dad Vail Regatta Championship in 2004 and 2005. She served as co-captain for the 2004-05 school year and was honored with the team’s “Husky Award” for demonstrating the skills of leadership, friendship, and dedication. Hope received the Drive Award for hardest-working over the winter training season in 2003, and was a four-time Big East Scholar-Athlete and a CRCA (Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association) Scholar-Athlete in 2005.

13WOMEN’S ROWING

JAKE IBEYATHLETIC TRAINER

Jake is in his third season as an assistant athletic trainer at the Coast Guard Academy.

He has been an athletic trainer for eight years. Jake graduated from the University of New England with a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training. He then graduated with his master’s degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Advanced Rehabilitation.

Before working at the Coast Guard Academy, he worked in many diff erent high schools all over the state of Connecticut.

Jake lives in Windsor, Conn. with his wife and two children.

STAFFSTAFF

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BRYNNA COOKESENIOR SALEM, CONNECTICUT

Brynna, a co-captain, is back as part of the Bears Varsity 8 for her senior season. Cooke was an All-NEWMAC second team selection last season. She was part of the Varsity 8 which placed second at the NEWMAC Championships and earned a berth to the 2012 NCAA Division III Championship. She was named to the 2012 NEWMAC Novice All-conference team. A Marine and Environmental Sciences major, she has been on both the Dean’s List and the Commandant of Cadets List every semester at the Academy. Brynna was named a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) National Scholar-Athlete last season.

BEFORE CGA

Captain for coach Scott Mahon at East Lyme High ... also a member of the sailing team that competed at the High School Sailing Nationals as the team placed seventh in 2009 ... daughter of John and Doreen Cooke.

GETTING TO KNOW BRYNNA

Her favorite food is peanut butter while her favorite snack food is peanut butter with banana and apple. Brynna’s favorite TV shows is NCIS and her favorite movie is North by Northwest . Her favorite actor is Tom Hanks and her favorite singers are Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble. She lists Fenway as her favorite stadium or sports arena.

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SARAH KUKICHJUNIOREAST LYME, CONNECTICUT

Sarah is expected to battle for a spot in the Bears Varsity 8 this season ... was previously a member of the Coast Guard men’s crew team ... member of the Commandant of Cadets List ... A Mechanical Engineering major.

BEFORE CGA

Captain for coach Scott Mahon at East Lyme High .. teammates with current Coast Guard team co-captain Brynna Cooke ... also member of both the sailing and track teams at East Lyme ... has a younger brother Michael ... comes from a military family as her uncles, cousins and grandfathers on both sides were in the Army, Navy and Air Force ... daughter of Melinda Welch, who rowed for current Coast Guard Academy Director of Rowing Jen Meuse.

GETTING TO KNOW SARAH

Her favorite food is peanut butter while her favorite restaurant is Chipotle. Sarah’s favorite TV show is Top Gear and her favorite movie is Inception. A Boston Red Sox fan, her favorite athlete is Tom Brady while her favorite singer is Hunter Hayes. If she could meet anyone living or deceased it would be President Eisenhower.

15WOMEN’S ROWING

ALYSSA LAYSTROMFRESHMANLAKE ZURICH, ILLINOIS

Alyssa one of the top freshmen on the team, is expected to be a part of the Bears Varsity 8 during her fi rst season of collegiate rowing. She is a Civil Enginerring major.

BEFORE CGA

Attended Lake Zurich High ... has a younger brother Jake ... daughter of John and Patty Laystrom.

GETTING TO KNOW ALYSSA

Her favorite food is pesto tortellini as well as chocolate and her favorite snack food is pretzels and hummus. Alyssa’s favorite TV show is Scrubs and her favorite movie is 21. Her favorite actor id Bradley Cooper while her favorite band is Portugal. The Man ... Her favorite arena is the Superdome and her favorite athlete is rower Susan Francia.

SAVANNAH LYLESOPHOMORENASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Savannah wil be part of the Bears Varsity 8 . A Mechanical Engineering major, she is member of the Superintendent’s List.

BEFORE CGA

Rowed for coach Don Sullivan at St. Cecilia Academy where she also was a member of the cross country and swim teams ... daughter of Wayne, who served in the Army and is now an MK1 in the Coast Guard stationed in St. Petersburg, and Pamela Lyle.

GETTING TO KNOW SAVANNAH

Her favorite food is chocolate and her favorite snack food is trail mix. Savannah’s favorite TV show is Modern Family while her favorite movie is Moonrise Kingdom and her favorite actor is Matt Damon. A Denver Broncos fan, her favorite band is Bright Eyes. If she could meet anyone living or deceased it would be Jesus.

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KARISA MAURERJUNIORFLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

Karisa is part of the Bears Varsity 8 for the fi rst time after rowing with the crew in the fall. She is a former member of the Coast Guard sailing team. A Marine and Environmental Science major, she is a member of the Dean’s List.

BEFORE CGA

Attended Flagstaff High and was a pole vaulter and member of the swim team ... has two younger sisters Lilly and Lezah and a younger brother Miles ... her uncle John Bell was in the Marine Corps ... daughter of Jeff and Kari Maurer.

GETTING TO KNOW KARISA

Her favorite food is tuna cassarole and her favorite snack food is gummy bears. Karisa’s favorite TV show is Doctor Who and her favorite movie is 3 Idiots. A Calgary Flames fan, her favorite athlete is Wayne Gretzky and her favorite band is the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Karisa’s favorite actor is David Tennant and her favorite place to visit is New Zealand.

PLPL

17WOMEN’S ROWING

REVIEW & HISTORYREVIEW & HISTORY

2014 RESULTS

Date Opponent Result

3/29 @ Wesleyan Lost

4/12 @ UMass Lowell w/Colby 3rd place

4/19 @ NEWMAC Championships 6th place

4/26 @ Williams w/Ithaca 3rd place

5/3 @ New England Championships 1st place -- 3rd level Final

5/11 @ ECAC Championship 1st place -- 3rd level Final

NCAA APPEARANCES

2003 2004 2005

2007 2008 2012

18 2015 ONLINE GUIDE

19WOMEN’S ROWING

2015 SPRING SCHEDULE2015 SPRING SCHEDULE

March 28th Wesleyan March 28th Wesleyan

April 18th NEWMAC Championships @ Worcester, Mass. April 18th NEWMAC Championships @ Worcester, Mass.

April 25th Mount Holyoke April 25th Mount Holyoke

May 9-10 ECAC Championship @ Worcester May 9-10 ECAC Championship @ Worcester