Coaches
Matt Stares, Head Coach
Matt began rowing at Bedford Modern School in the UK at the age of 16, thereafter at Molesey Boat Club and the University of London (ULBC) - designated as one of seven High Performance Programs by British Rowing, UL is an elite rowing program for student athletes of the 17 colleges and institutions that form the University of London. ULBC remains the most successful UK university rowing team with 45 wins at Henley Royal Regatta, representation at every Olympic Games since 1960, 212 students selected to represent Great Britain at U23 and Senior World Championships and 137 Olympic and World Championship medals.
Since then, he coached his alma mater, University College London (UCL), Homerton and Pembroke Colleges at Cambridge University before moving to the United States in 2010 with his wife and two daughters. Matt serves as President of the EGR Crew Parents’ Association, President of the University of London Boat Club Trust Inc., and still races with UL Tyrian Club (the University of London’s alumni club) at the Head of the Charles Regatta each year.
Joining EGR Crew in 2020, Matt was appointed as Head Coach in the fall of 2023, is a licensed Architect and supported Jeff Olsen to conceive of, design and build the new boathouse.
He has had the enormous fortune of being coached by and (still) competing with world class Olympic athletes and coaches, so is excited to continue to share some of this experience with EGR Crew.
Brian Chorney, Varsity Coach
Brian Chorney rowed 5 years at Case Western Reserve University, holding team lightweight erg records and spending four years as captain. After moving to the Boston area, he competed for Community Rowing Inc., Gentle Giant Rowing Club, and The Little Harbor Boat Club. Brian served as the head coach at Endicott College in Beverly, MA from 2008 to 2012, leading the Gulls to two New England Collegiate Rowing League Championships. He has been part of the team since 2015.
Anne Petruzzi, Junior Varsity Coach
Anne credits lifelong sports participation for personal and professional successes and aims to foster similar positive experiences for our rowers.
She grew up playing just about every sport, including lacrosse, soccer, and swimming, but stumbled into rowing while at Indiana University. This was back when wooden boats were the norm, and crews had to row up stream both ways, but she fondly remembers all those sunrises and team camaraderie. She’s now an avid participant in triathlons and open water swims, including the challenging Mackinaw Straits race.
In 2022, after winning the parent erg race at our post-tryouts celebration, Anne expressed her desire to get back into the sport and help with coaching. We gladly welcomed her, and her efforts have already yielded great results. Her enthusiasm and positive attitude make her a fantastic influence on our rowers, driving us towards success both on and off the water.
Anne is a certified USRowing Level II coach
Kris Waschbusch, Novice Coach
Kris rowed 4 years with the University of Wisconsin - Madison Women's Varsity Rowing Team. As part of that program, she rowed in all positions of the boat (except coxswain seat) and was fortunate to compete at the top levels of collegiate racing. Kris was honored to serve as team captain her senior year and built lifelong friendships that she considers one of the best achievements of her time at UW-Madison.
Her goals for coaching high school are to help the student athletes: build overall fitness; find their love of rowing and sports in general; and engage meaningfully and positively with their teammates.
Kris coached at East from 2013 to 2018 and rejoined the team in 2022.
Samantha Doletzky, Assistant Coach
With over 12 years in the sport of rowing, Coach Sam brings extensive experience and a deep passion for coaching to the team at East High School. Coach Sam's rowing journey began as a coxswain and lightweight rower at Rockford High School, coxswain for Grand Valley State University (GVSU). A career highlight includes taking 1st place at Head of the Charles Regatta with the Danish National Team. Once Coach Sam was done rowing competitively, she began to coach. Most recently Coach Sam took 1st place in a Rec Mixed Four with fellow coaches at the prestigious Michigan State Games.
Coach Sam has coached at Northview High School and Rockford High School, and is now one of the varsity rowing coaches at East. Known for technical teaching expertise and a commitment to athlete development, Coach Sam focuses on nurturing both the skills and the character of each rower. Dedicated to fostering growth, Coach Sam aims to help athletes become responsible young adults who excel both on and off the water.
Stephanie Gates, Assistant Coach
Stephanie started rowing for Michigan State University after a decade of competitive swimming. She credits the sport for setting her up for success in both her career and life as it demonstrates the true meaning of commitment and team work. Stephanie and her husband, along with their two sons, have lived in EGR and have enjoyed time on Reeds Lake since 2017. She is happiest on the water and enjoys watching the rowers’ hard work pay off on and off the Lake!
Justin Ebert, Assistant Coach
Justin began rowing in 2008. In 2009 & 2010, two undefeated seasons included SRAA Nationals & Stotesbury Cup titles. In 2011, his crew took bronze at the SRAA.
At Grand Valley State University (GVSU), under John Bancheri, Justin’s crews were repeatedly top-5 at the Dad Vail, medalists at the ACRA National Championship, & Champions at the San Diego Crew Classic. In 2013, Justin competed at the Henley Royal Regatta. During his time, GVSU was two-time ACRA Team Points Champions.
At Forest Hills Central High School (FHC), Justin coached the Men’s Novice in 2018 & Men’s Varsity from 2019-2022. A first in FHC history, the Men’s Varsity sent two crews to the SRAA Nationals in 2022. Earning JV4+ bronze & 5th-fastest V4+, both were team-wide FHC records at SRAA. From 2019-2022, results include medalist & 1st-place finishes at the State, Regional, & CSSRA championships across JV4+, JV8+, 2V4+, 2V8+, V4+, & V8+.
Alexandra Bohlinger, Assistant Coach
Alexandra is an internationally recognised, classically trained Pilates teacher, taught by Joseph Pilates’ protege Romana Kryzanowska. She has been teaching the classical method of Pilates for over 15 years. She also holds a Masters in Osteopathy from the British School of Osteopathy in London UK, and runs a combined hands-on therapy clinic and Pilates studio as rehab and exercise routine.
Jessica Flakne, Assistant Coach
Jessica rowed for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers from 2012 to 2016, serving as varsity team captain. Over four years, she competed in numerous regattas, including the
Head of the Charles and several Big Ten Championships. During her time at Minnesota, Jessica earned Academic All-Big Ten honors each year, believing that rowing provides the tools for academic success and instills the discipline to achieve goals on and off the water.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Jessica went on to attend medical school at the University of Minnesota and continued to row as a member of the Minnesota Boat Club
(MBC) in 2017 and 2018, competing internationally at the North West International Rowing Association (NWIRA) Championship Regatta in Kenora, Ontario. In 2018, MBC won the NWIRA’s coveted Sir Thomas Lipton Cup.
Currently, Jessica is an orthopedic surgery resident in Grand Rapids and has returned to the sport as a coach. She emphasizes the importance of mental toughness and teamwork.
John Mogor, Assistant Coach
John's passion for rowing began during his freshman year at Michigan State University, where he quickly fell in love with the sport. The tranquility of the water, contrasted with the dedication, perseverance, and effort required to excel, has left a lasting impact on his life.
After spending some time away, John, along with his wife Melissa and their two children, have returned to their roots in West Michigan, enjoying life in East Grand Rapids. As a novice coach, John finds great joy in sharing the love of rowing with the next generation, confident that the experience will be as meaningful for them as it has been for him.
Jeff Olsen, Assistant Coach & Rigger
Jeff has been a long-term contributor, coach, Parent’s Association Treasurer and President, during which time his two daughters Bella and Anna successfully competed on the team. Bella subsequently rowed for Cornell University ('20-'22) and at the University of Michigan as a member of the 2023 and 2024 BIG 10 Championship teams.
Jeff led the team that built our new boathouse including its vision, funding, engineering and construction. He now concentrates on boathouse and equipment management as well as hauling our boats to regattas and coaching early morning sessions with our Head Coach.
Dr. Tom Getz, Rigger
Doc Getz began rowing while attending medical school at the University of Iowa in 1981. He has rowed non-competitively since 1990. Doc has been with East Grand Rapids Crew since the team began in 1999, with his daughter on the team for its first four years. He looks after and maintains the boats and other equipment, helped by a team of dedicated equipment volunteers.
