Coaches
Matt Stares, Head Coach
Matt rowed competitively for 10 years, starting at Bedford Modern School in the UK at the age of 16, progressing to Molesey Boat Club and the University of London (ULBC) - the elite rowing program for student athletes of the 18 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 135 Olympic and World Championship medals.
Since then, he coached his alma mater, University College London, Homerton College and Pembroke College at Cambridge University before moving to the United States in 2010 with his wife and two daughters. Matt serves as a Director of the University of London Boat Club Trust and still races with Tyrian Club, the University of London’s alumni club, at the Head of the Charles Regatta each year.
Joining EGR Crew in 2020, Matt is a licensed Architect and supported Jeff Olsen to conceive of, design and build the new boathouse.
He has had the enormous fortune of (still) competing with and being taught by world class Olympic athletes and coaches, so is excited to continue to share some of this experience with EGR Crew.
Brian Chorney, Assistant Head 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.
Kris Waschbusch
Novice Coach
Stephanie GatesAssistant 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!
Anne Petruzzi
Assistant 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.
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/Pilates
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. 