Schmetterling Joins Rowing Staff as Graduate Assistant
7/9/2021 11:00:00 AM | Rowing
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan rowing head coach Mark Rothstein announced on Friday (July 9) the addition of accomplished rower Lauren Schmetterling to the staff as a graduate assistant.
"Lauren is an outstanding addition to our staff," said Rothstein. "She has achieved great things at the highest level of the sport, and having her as part of our team is a huge boost for us. Our student-athletes can really relate to her perspective as an Olympic athlete and excellent college rower, and in this role she will be able to play an active role in recruiting as well as coaching."
"After two decades of competing in high school, college, and on the National and Olympic levels, I am eager to share my experiences and learn from Mark and the rest of the staff," said Schmetterling.
"I am impressed by the team culture already present at Michigan, and I am excited to continue building a team that will content for the NCAA Championship.
While coaching at U-M, Schmetterling will pursue a master's degree in sport management.
A native of Voorhees, N.J., Schmetterling spent seven years on the USRowing roster (2013-19), winning gold medals at the World Championship, World Rowing Cup and Olympic stages.
Schmetterling graduated from Moorestown High School in 2006 and went on to Colgate University, where she earned CRCA All-America second team honors, becoming the program's second-ever All-American on the heels of winning the collegiate double sculls (2x) title at the USRowing Collegiate Championships in 2010. She earned a degree in economics from Colgate while lettering from 2007-10.
After graduating, Schmetterling trained in Boston at the Riverside Boat Club under Tom Keister. In 2012, she was invited to the national training center for USRowing in Princeton, N.J. In 2012, Schmetterling won the open single sculls and double sculls events at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.
She has been part of 2013, 2014, and 2015 World Championship teams, winning gold medals with the 8+. She returned to the World Championships stage as part of the 2017 and 2019 teams as well, finishing fourth in the former year. She was also an alternate on the 2018 roster. Schmetterling was named U.S. Rowing Fan's Choice National Team Athlete of the Year in 2015. She also has competed in many World Rowing Cup events and was part of a world record-breaking performance in the 8+ at the 2013 World Rowing Cup III.
Schmetterling made her Olympic debut in 2016 in Rio de Janiero, winning a gold medal with the 8+. In doing so, she became Colgate's third-ever Olympic medalist, the first female Olympian from the school, the first gold medalist ever to attend Colgate, and the first medalist of any kind since 1972.
Schmetterling was inducted into Colgate's Hall of Honor in 2017.
