Villanova Rowing head coach Carissa Adams has appointed Kristen Waters and Olivia Guarnaccia to her coaching staff, enhancing the team's support system. Waters, a former rower at Alabama and a La Salle assistant coach, brings extensive recruiting experience and a record of success. Guarnaccia, who captained the University of Louisville team, adds a fresh perspective and strong student-athlete understanding. Both coaches are expected to contribute significantly to the program鈥檚 ongoing growth and development.

By the Numbers
  • Waters coached the Freshman/Novice 8+ boat to a silver medal at the 2026 Dad Vail Championship.
  • Guarnaccia earned ACC All-Academic Team honors all four years at Louisville and was a three-time CRCA National Scholar Athlete.
Yes, But

The addition of new coaching staff may also raise expectations, adding pressure to both the coaches and athletes to deliver improved performance in an already competitive environment.

State of Play
  • Waters aims to leverage her experience to enhance recruiting and athlete performance.
  • Guarnaccia is transitioning from collegiate athlete to coach, bringing energy and contemporary insights into coaching strategies.
What's Next

As the new season approaches, both coaches will focus on integrating into the team and optimizing training programs to elevate the athletes鈥� performance in upcoming competitions.

Bottom Line

The addition of Waters and Guarnaccia signals a commitment to excellence at Villanova Rowing, harnessing fresh talent and experience to enhance team dynamics and performance.