PRINCETON, N.J. - USRowing has finalized its women's national team coaching staff, Executive Director Glenn Merry announced on Tuesday.
Tom Terhaar has signed a contract to remain as women's head coach through 2012. Terhaar, who took over the women's program in 2001, led the women's eight to a gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In addition to winning gold in China, he has coached the women's eight to three world championship titles (2002, 2006 and 2007) and an Olympic silver medal (2004) during his tenure. In 2007, Terhaar won the United States Olympic Committee's Coach of the Year Award for Rowing and was one of five finalists for the USOC's National Coach of the Year Award.
"We are very happy to be able to continue our relationship with Tom as head coach," Merry said. "His team's success during the past four years is a tremendous reflection on his abilities and effort. I cannot think of anyone better suited to lead our program to the medal stand in 2012 in London."
USRowing has also hired two women's assistant coaches. Laurel Korholz, who joined Terhaar's staff in April of 2005, will continue to serve as one of the assistant coaches. A 1993 graduate of the University of California, Korholz was an 11-time national team member, three-time Olympian and Olympic silver medalist as an athlete. She has worked with both sweep rowers and scullers during her coaching tenure at USRowing and will continue assisting Terhaar with all aspects of the program.
Former national team rower Annie Kakela will complete the women's coaching staff. Kakela's primary focus will be on athlete development, with an emphasis on identifying athletes with Under 23 and Senior National Team potential. A 1992 graduate of Dartmouth College, Kakela was a four-time national team member, a world champion in the women's eight and a 1996 Olympian. Her coaching resume includes stops at Oregon State University and, most recently, at the University of Pennsylvania.
"We are very excited to have Annie join our coaching staff," Terhaar said. "She brings a wealth of experience and ability to our program. Annie will be a real asset in helping us to identify and develop athletes as we work to build on the success of the last eight years."