WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Wellesley College
Athletic Director Louise O'Neal has announced the hiring
of former United States Rowing National Team member Joan
O'Hara as Head Coach of the Wellesley College Rowing
Program. O'Hara brings both coaching and competitve
experience to Wellesley which has the Nation's oldest
collegiate women's rowing program, founded in 1876.
A native of Long Island, O'Hara trained at the United
States Olympic Training Center in San Diego from 1997
through 1998. During that time, she captured first place
at the Elite Nationals in two lightweight races (1x and
4x). She also placed first at the Head of the Charles in
the lightweight 8+ event. O'Hara also trained at the
National Team Training Center in Chatanooga, Tenn.,
capturing first place in a total of six events at the
American Rowing Championship in both 1996 and 1995.
She comes to Wellesley from her Head Coach position of
the ZLAC Master's Rowing Club program in San Diego. She
most recently guided her ZLAC crew to a 2nd Place finish
at the Masters' Nationals and a 3rd place spot at the
Head of the Charles.
O'Hara will join the Wellesley faculty as Assistant
Professor of Physical Education. She earned her Masters
in Liberal Arts and Sciences from San Diego State
University this past year while earning her undergraduate
degree in 1991 from Loyola College. At Loyola, O'Hara was
a four-year rower and captained her team.
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