Lehigh University Athletics
Conley announces addition of three assistant coaches
9/4/2014 2:48:00 PM | Men's Rowing, Women's Rowing
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh head rowing coach Brian Conley has announced the addition of Thomas Schlenker, Kaitlyn Dennington and Katherine Menge to the rowing program. Schlenker replaces James Harding who worked under Conley for four seasons before moving onto a position outside of athletics within Lehigh University. Dennington and Menge are both 2014 graduates of Lehigh rowing.
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Schlenker comes to Lehigh with a bevy of rowing experience. He rowed at the University of Washington, earning his Bachelor's Degree in 2006 before moving onto graduate school.
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Schlenker most recently worked at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington where he served as Director of Rowing and Head Women's Coach since August of 2011. The program thrived under his leadership as the roster increased from five student-athletes (when he took over) to 24 this past season. Pacific Lutheran ended 2013 ranked second regionally, ending a decade long streak of unranked seasons. Two of Schlenker's student-athletes became veterans of the NCAA Championships while his players enjoyed successful careers off the water as well.
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The program's increased success carried outside of rowing as well. Pacific Lutheran's team GPA reached 3.7, up from 3.0 n 2011. The student-athletes played significant roles in their community as well.
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"I'm excited to have Thomas join our staff as he will bring a great deal of experiences, both in the boat and coaching crews," said Conley. "Thomas understands where we are working to bring our program to the upper echelons of the sports and I feel will fit, and expand upon, the culture we have created at the boathouse."
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Prior to Pacific Lutheran, Schlenker served as Director of Recruiting and Operations, Assistant Women's Rowing Coach at UMass-Lowell. Responsibilities included coordinating recruiting efforts, strengthening alumni relations, designing and managing training programs and more. Schlenker also helped facilitate the program's transition from club to varsity status.
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In addition, Schlenker has experience with the Sammamish Rowing Association, the Green Lake Small Craft Center and University of Washington Waterfront Activities Center. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Physics (minor in Mathematics) and received a Master's of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership.
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Along with Schlenker, Conley announced the addition of Dennington as an assistant coach and Menge as a graduate assistant. Both graduated this past spring and were mainstays in the Varsity Eight boat.
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"Kaitlyn was a recruited athlete who spent four years in our top varsity eight," said Conley. "She has a great understanding of the sport and how to keep it focused and fun. Â Kaitlyn is a great addition to the staff with her work ethic she showed as an athlete to help lead a new group of future Lehigh rowers.
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"Katherine was captain of our team the last two years and I am excited to work with Katherine in helping develop young athletes into top-level rowers," said Conley. "Katherine was a walk-on to the program, but made an immediate impact as an athlete and leader from the moment she arrived at the boathouse."
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Like Lehigh Rowing on Facebook and follow on Twitter for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Schlenker comes to Lehigh with a bevy of rowing experience. He rowed at the University of Washington, earning his Bachelor's Degree in 2006 before moving onto graduate school.
Â
Schlenker most recently worked at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington where he served as Director of Rowing and Head Women's Coach since August of 2011. The program thrived under his leadership as the roster increased from five student-athletes (when he took over) to 24 this past season. Pacific Lutheran ended 2013 ranked second regionally, ending a decade long streak of unranked seasons. Two of Schlenker's student-athletes became veterans of the NCAA Championships while his players enjoyed successful careers off the water as well.
Â
The program's increased success carried outside of rowing as well. Pacific Lutheran's team GPA reached 3.7, up from 3.0 n 2011. The student-athletes played significant roles in their community as well.
Â
"I'm excited to have Thomas join our staff as he will bring a great deal of experiences, both in the boat and coaching crews," said Conley. "Thomas understands where we are working to bring our program to the upper echelons of the sports and I feel will fit, and expand upon, the culture we have created at the boathouse."
Â
Prior to Pacific Lutheran, Schlenker served as Director of Recruiting and Operations, Assistant Women's Rowing Coach at UMass-Lowell. Responsibilities included coordinating recruiting efforts, strengthening alumni relations, designing and managing training programs and more. Schlenker also helped facilitate the program's transition from club to varsity status.
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In addition, Schlenker has experience with the Sammamish Rowing Association, the Green Lake Small Craft Center and University of Washington Waterfront Activities Center. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Physics (minor in Mathematics) and received a Master's of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership.
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Along with Schlenker, Conley announced the addition of Dennington as an assistant coach and Menge as a graduate assistant. Both graduated this past spring and were mainstays in the Varsity Eight boat.
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"Kaitlyn was a recruited athlete who spent four years in our top varsity eight," said Conley. "She has a great understanding of the sport and how to keep it focused and fun. Â Kaitlyn is a great addition to the staff with her work ethic she showed as an athlete to help lead a new group of future Lehigh rowers.
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"Katherine was captain of our team the last two years and I am excited to work with Katherine in helping develop young athletes into top-level rowers," said Conley. "Katherine was a walk-on to the program, but made an immediate impact as an athlete and leader from the moment she arrived at the boathouse."
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Like Lehigh Rowing on Facebook and follow on Twitter for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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