Cornell University has officially announced the hiring of Hannah Ondak as an assistant coach for the women's rowing team. Ondak joins the program after two years as a graduate assistant coach at Smith College, where she helped develop the team and manage various aspects, including social media. Coach Steve Coppola highlighted her fresh perspective and confidence as valuable assets to the team. Ondak expressed her excitement about joining Cornell and her eagerness to contribute to the program's commitment to excellence and student-athlete experience.

By the Numbers
  • Ondak served two seasons as a graduate assistant at Smith College.
  • She managed and developed the novice rowing program at Boston University, selecting 15 athletes annually.
Yes, But

Although Ondak has strong coaching experience, her transition from Smith College to Cornell may present challenges as she adapts to a new team culture and higher competitive expectations.

State of Play
  • Ondak is expected to provide mentorship and guidance to both current and incoming athletes.
  • The Cornell women's rowing team is focusing on building depth and speed in its roster for upcoming competitions.
What's Next

Looking ahead, Ondak will begin integrating with the team in Ithaca and will likely focus on training strategies that capitalize on her coaching experience to enhance the team's performance in the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

The addition of Hannah Ondak to Cornell's coaching staff signifies a proactive step towards strengthening the women鈥檚 rowing program, emphasizing mentorship and development for a successful future.