University of North Carolina Athletics
Rowing Adds Three New Staff Members
September 2, 2022 | Women's Rowing
CHAPEL HILL N.C. – Head rowing coach Erin Neppel announced the addition of three members to her staff for the 2022-23 season: Shayla Lamb, John Leonard and Edvina Nesukaityte.
"We are excited about our three new staff members", said Neppel. "Shayla, John and Edvina are knowledgeable and passionate about rowing and are already making an impact as we begin our second year of building this program."
A 2019 graduate of the University of Michigan and a captain of the 2019 Big Ten Rowing Champion wolverines, Lamb comes to Chapel Hill from Jacksonville University, where she most recently served as an assistant coach for the men's team. A veteran leader, Lamb also has experience with USRowing's Olympic Development Camp as the head coach of the Southeast Boys.
"Shayla is going to be such a solid addition to this staff," said Neppel. "At Michigan, she led her team as captain to a championship, and her values and experiences in that fast program will help us as we work hard to instill winning values and habits at UNC. She will fit right in here."
Leonard joins the Tar Heels as the new Director of Rowing Operations and Rigger. Most recently, he was the boathouse manager at the University of Kansas, while owning his own club program, Great River Rowing. A 1989 graduate of the University of Connecticut, Leonard has had stints at UConn and Fairfield University as a coach and program coordinator.
"John joins us with years of experience and knowledge, and we can't wait to get him started with us here in Chapel Hill," said Neppel. "His understanding of all sides of operations as a coach and director will make a huge difference for us. He's also extremely passionate about UNC, since his daughter graduated from here as a member of the field hockey team."
A native of Kaunas, Lithuania, Nesukaityte joins the staff after serving as a graduate assistant for the women's rowing team at Clemson. Prior to her time at Clemson, she rowed competitively as a student-athlete at the University of Central Florida and helped lead the Golden Knights to four American Athletic Conference titles, four NCAA Rowing Championship appearances, and a Top 20 national finish each year.
"By adding Edvina to our staff, we are adding a champion's perspective," Neppel said. "Her experiences at UCF, the ACC, and rowing overseas brings a unique breadth of knowledge and ideas. Edvina's also a straight-shooter and that will do really well with our team."
"We feel so fortunate to be able to add all three of these outstanding individuals to our staff," she said. "Now it's time to get to work!"
"We are excited about our three new staff members", said Neppel. "Shayla, John and Edvina are knowledgeable and passionate about rowing and are already making an impact as we begin our second year of building this program."
A 2019 graduate of the University of Michigan and a captain of the 2019 Big Ten Rowing Champion wolverines, Lamb comes to Chapel Hill from Jacksonville University, where she most recently served as an assistant coach for the men's team. A veteran leader, Lamb also has experience with USRowing's Olympic Development Camp as the head coach of the Southeast Boys.
"Shayla is going to be such a solid addition to this staff," said Neppel. "At Michigan, she led her team as captain to a championship, and her values and experiences in that fast program will help us as we work hard to instill winning values and habits at UNC. She will fit right in here."
Leonard joins the Tar Heels as the new Director of Rowing Operations and Rigger. Most recently, he was the boathouse manager at the University of Kansas, while owning his own club program, Great River Rowing. A 1989 graduate of the University of Connecticut, Leonard has had stints at UConn and Fairfield University as a coach and program coordinator.
"John joins us with years of experience and knowledge, and we can't wait to get him started with us here in Chapel Hill," said Neppel. "His understanding of all sides of operations as a coach and director will make a huge difference for us. He's also extremely passionate about UNC, since his daughter graduated from here as a member of the field hockey team."
A native of Kaunas, Lithuania, Nesukaityte joins the staff after serving as a graduate assistant for the women's rowing team at Clemson. Prior to her time at Clemson, she rowed competitively as a student-athlete at the University of Central Florida and helped lead the Golden Knights to four American Athletic Conference titles, four NCAA Rowing Championship appearances, and a Top 20 national finish each year.
"By adding Edvina to our staff, we are adding a champion's perspective," Neppel said. "Her experiences at UCF, the ACC, and rowing overseas brings a unique breadth of knowledge and ideas. Edvina's also a straight-shooter and that will do really well with our team."
"We feel so fortunate to be able to add all three of these outstanding individuals to our staff," she said. "Now it's time to get to work!"
Sunday, June 07
Sunday, June 07
Sunday, June 07
Saturday, June 06