Rowing Adds Siermachesky To Staff

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Former Tar Heel rower and Canadian Olympic silver medalist Kristen Siermachesky has joined the Carolina rowing staff as an assistant coach, head coach Erin Neppel announced Wednesday.

"We are beyond excited to welcome Kristen back to Chapel Hill as part of our staff," Neppel said. "As a former UNC rower who began her rowing career at Carolina, she is familiar with the University and our program and is in line with what we are trying to achieve philosophically and culturally. She is also an exceptional athlete, example and role model, and will be a fantastic coaching figure, embodying the parts of a "championship culture" and character pieces we emphasize in our program.

"Kristen is also an Olympian and has just returned from Paris and the 2024 Summer Games. She will bring these experiences with her to the team and will be an invaluable resource to these athletes who are striving to be champions. We feel like we have an unbelievable staff here, and having Kristen onboard really completes the circle."

After earning her undergraduate degree from Syracuse, where she competed in ice hockey, Siermachesky came to UNC for her master's degree in sport administration. While at UNC, she began rowing and was named 2022 ACC Rowing Newcomer of the Year. A native of New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada, she went on to earn a spot on the Canadian National Team and was part of the Olympic contingent as a spare for the silver-medal-winning women's eight.

At both UNC and Syracuse she was involved with a wide range of student organizations, including Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), of which she served as president, ACC Professional Development Academy, and NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Conference. She was an NCAA Woman of the Year nominee in 2021.

"I am thrilled to be back in Carolina blue," Siermachesky said. "Not only did my rowing career start here, but I have created such a connection with the athletic department, Chapel Hill community and Carolina Culture. I look forward to sharing my experiences and continuing to push this program forward surrounded by a top-tier coaching staff. I'm pumped and ready to get to work."

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