AQUATIC CENTER COACHING STAFF

SARAH PUDDICOMBE – CAPITAL CREW GIRLS’ HEAD COACH ccvarsitywomen@csus.edu

Sarah has over 28 years of rowing experience...20 of those years as a coach. Sarah won 2 NCAA Team Championships. She was Head Coach for the Capital Crew Girls for 7 years, producing 2 National Championships in the girls 4+ with coxswain and in the girls 2-. Athletes on the Girls’ team consistently get recruited to top rated colleges and rowing programs. Sarah got her start in rowing with this team which led her to being recruited to UC Davis where she was named 3x’s All American and won a Div II National Championship. Since graduating, Sarah has coached at Sac State, UC Davis, Cal and now back at Capital Crew. Sarah and her husband, Mark, have two children and reside in El Dorado Hills.

What is the best part about working at the Aquatic Center? “I love the family friendly environment and have the opportunity to introduce the sport of rowing to High School athletes. Watching young athletes achieving something bigger than themselves is pretty special. Everything you learn in rowing relates to life and the Aquatic Center gives me the opportunity to share the experience.”

KATIE HAVERLUK – Capital Crew Boy’s Head Coach k.haverluk@csus.edu

Katie began rowing at the Aquatic Center, 1st with the Learn to Row & Summer rowing programs, then became a member of Capital Crew. After a successful 2 years with Capital, Katie was recruited to Cal where she competed on the Varsity level in the JV8+ and V4+ boats her 1st year, winning two NCAA Team National Championships, back to back in 2005 and 2006. After graduating, Katie moved to Washington D.C. for work, then abroad to Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. Upon moving back to the States, Katie has been a Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach, where training youth athletes and their parents led to an excited return to Capital Crew and the Aquatic Center.

What is the best part about working at the Aquatic Center “Returning to the Aquatic Center and Lake Natoma is such a privilege. Being able to pass on the knowledge I learned here, to a new generation, is incredibly special.”

HALEY YORK – NOVICE WOMENS COACH ccvarsitywomen@csus.edu

Haley graduated from UMass with a BFA in Studio Art with a focus in painting. She started her rowing career her at Capital Crew during her freshman year and went on to row the next 3 years of high school under the tutelage of Coach Chris Manibusan. While a high school rower Haley qualified and finished in the top 10 at Youth Nationals twice. She continued her high caliber rowing at UMass with 3 wins at the A10 championships and 3 appearances at the NCAA championships. She then started coaching at Deerfield Academy. She is now back in her home town area and ready to lead our Capital Crew novice women.

What is the best part about working at the Aquatic Center?

“I like how fast the athletes can progress and all of the positive energy here.”

BRIAN

BIRCH – CAPITAL CREW ASSISTANT COACH

brian.birch@csus.edu

I am excited to be back coaching after taking several years off concentrating on my corporate career. My coaching philosophy is helping every athlete achieve their personal best by having fun, working hard, and learning skills that will help them throughout their life. I have over thirty years of rowing and coaching experience at regional and national levels that has provided me with a wealth of knowledge that I can apply to creating a respectful team environment and fast boats. I continue to expand my knowledge of the sport and renewed my US Rowing Level 2 Coaching Certificate last year.

What is the best part about working at the Aquatic Center? “When former athletes tell me how their experience helped them be successful beyond rowing.” #GoCapital

MORGAN NIPPER – CAPITAL CREW ASSISTANT COACH

Morgan currently splits his time between coaching with Capital Crew boys and working for the US Army Reserve. Morgan started his rowing career in high school on Lake Natoma in 2014 and then went on to study at Sacramento State and row with the Sac State Men’s Rowing Club. While at Sac State, Morgan became a competitive power lifter which he still competes in. Morgan started coaching with Capital Crew in 2021.

What is the best part about working at the Aquatic Center? “I love the infectiousness of enthusiasm at the Aquatic Center and want to spread it to everyone I meet.”

LAUREN FORMIGLI– Capital Crew Assistant Coach

Lauren started rowing at Capital her freshman yearand competed all four years of high school. She qualified for nationals in the youth 8+ and placed 10th. She rowed at University of Portland before transferring to Sacramento State and beginning her coaching career. Lauren has a passion for rowing and helping transform our athletes into competitors. She enjoys helping our athletes become stronger both physically and mentally.

What is the best part about working at the Aquatic Center? “I love helping athletes become stronger and more confident people.”