Women's Rowing Welcomes Two New Staff Members
9/24/2024 11:04:00 AM | Women's Rowing
WASHINGTON - GW women's rowing is proud to announce the addition of two new members to its staff - Assistant Coach Greta O'Hara and Director of Operations Lauren Benedict.
"It is with excitement that I welcome Greta O'Hara and Lauren Benedict to the GWWR community," said Head Coach Paul Allbright. "Both of them bring a wealth of unique knowledge and experience that will help the program take the next step this year!"
O'Hara joins the staff following two years in a similar role at Smith College while she was earning her Master's in Exercise and Sport Studies. Under her guidance, O'Hara helped Smith return to the NCAA Division III Championship for the first time in 15 years, placing sixth. The program also featured a pair of All-Americans during O'Hara's time and recorded a program-best finish of fourth at the 2023 Head of the Charles.
O'Hara was also a member of the Smith Athletics Department Inclusion Council, leading to push forth DEI initiatives. She began her coaching career at Cascadilla Boat Club of Ithaca, N.Y., following her four years as a student-athlete at Ithaca College. During her time, the Bombers secured their first Liberty League Championship and twice placed in the top five at the NCAA Championship.
"I am very excited to be joining the Revolutionaries this fall," O'Hara said. "George Washington University is at the helm of both academic and athletic excellence and it is a privilege to be a member of this athletics community. I have been drawn to Coach Allbright's vision for the program since day one and I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to play a role in this team's mission.Â
"I look forward to leading the novice walk-on program, growing as a coach and learning from the exceptional staff I get to work with everyday here. GW women's rowing is building something incredibly special and I can't wait to see how fast we can go on the water this year."
Benedict comes to GW following a standout career at the University of Virginia. In her role as Director of Operations, Benedict will be responsible for providing coordination and logistical support for the program. She is currently enrolled in the Master's of Forensic Psychology program at GW and working towards her American Sign Language Interpreter certification.
Benedict earned her Bachelor's in Cognitive Science from UVA and was twice awarded the team's MVP. She was named to the ACC Honor Roll all four years, earned three ACC All-Academic honors and was a First Team All-ACC honoree and CRCA National Scholar-Athlete as a senior. She was a part of three boats that competed at the NCAA Championships during her career and represented the United States at the U-23 World Rowing Championships in 2022 and 2023.
"I am very excited to be joining the GW Athletics community," Benedict said, "and I look forward to being able to stay a part of a team with such a wonderful group of people."
"It is with excitement that I welcome Greta O'Hara and Lauren Benedict to the GWWR community," said Head Coach Paul Allbright. "Both of them bring a wealth of unique knowledge and experience that will help the program take the next step this year!"
O'Hara joins the staff following two years in a similar role at Smith College while she was earning her Master's in Exercise and Sport Studies. Under her guidance, O'Hara helped Smith return to the NCAA Division III Championship for the first time in 15 years, placing sixth. The program also featured a pair of All-Americans during O'Hara's time and recorded a program-best finish of fourth at the 2023 Head of the Charles.
O'Hara was also a member of the Smith Athletics Department Inclusion Council, leading to push forth DEI initiatives. She began her coaching career at Cascadilla Boat Club of Ithaca, N.Y., following her four years as a student-athlete at Ithaca College. During her time, the Bombers secured their first Liberty League Championship and twice placed in the top five at the NCAA Championship.
"I am very excited to be joining the Revolutionaries this fall," O'Hara said. "George Washington University is at the helm of both academic and athletic excellence and it is a privilege to be a member of this athletics community. I have been drawn to Coach Allbright's vision for the program since day one and I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to play a role in this team's mission.Â
"I look forward to leading the novice walk-on program, growing as a coach and learning from the exceptional staff I get to work with everyday here. GW women's rowing is building something incredibly special and I can't wait to see how fast we can go on the water this year."
Benedict comes to GW following a standout career at the University of Virginia. In her role as Director of Operations, Benedict will be responsible for providing coordination and logistical support for the program. She is currently enrolled in the Master's of Forensic Psychology program at GW and working towards her American Sign Language Interpreter certification.
Benedict earned her Bachelor's in Cognitive Science from UVA and was twice awarded the team's MVP. She was named to the ACC Honor Roll all four years, earned three ACC All-Academic honors and was a First Team All-ACC honoree and CRCA National Scholar-Athlete as a senior. She was a part of three boats that competed at the NCAA Championships during her career and represented the United States at the U-23 World Rowing Championships in 2022 and 2023.
"I am very excited to be joining the GW Athletics community," Benedict said, "and I look forward to being able to stay a part of a team with such a wonderful group of people."
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