At Oakton Crew, we believe that rowing is the ultimate team sport, serving as a powerful vehicle for character development and leadership. Our approach prioritizes athlete safety and technical proficiency above all else, ensuring that every student-athlete builds a strong foundation of physical health and disciplined habits that extend far beyond the water.
COACHING PHILOSOPHY
We champion the 'student' in student-athlete, fostering an environment where academic excellence and competitive training go hand-in-hand. By emphasizing teamwork, accountability, and academic balance, we prepare our rowers to face challenges with resilience and integrity, shaping champions both in the classroom and at the finish line.
MEET THE COACHES
COACH REBECCA RUSH
HEAD VARSITY BOYS COACH
Coach Rush has been coaching with Oakton Crew for four years and is returning as head coach for a second year. During this time, she has worked with both the men’s and women’s team, both novice and varsity. As a varsity coach, she hopes to drive the team to success at a high level for a third consecutive year. She believes the keys to a strong and successful team are Dedication, Communication, and Grit. Coach Rush has been apart of the rowing community for eight years. Her rowing background consists of years and various levels of both recreational and competitive rowing, most recently including masters rowing and five years of collegiate racing with Club Crew at GMU .
COACH PETER UDALOV
NOVICE COACH
Coach Peter has been rowing since 2015, and spent his first four years on Oakton High School’s crew team, so returning as an Assistant Coach has been especially meaningful. He knows firsthand how important proper technique and a strong foundation are, as he dealt with an injury during his own rowing career. That experience motivates him to help athletes develop good habits, avoid preventable injuries, and become more confident both on and off the water. He recently completed his associate degree and plans to continue his education at George Mason University, although he is also considering pursuing a career as a military linguist. Peter speaks Russian and some French, and outside of rowing he enjoys hiking with his dog, fishing, working out, traveling, and learning languages. Peter is proud to give back to the Oakton Crew community and help the next generation of rowers succeed.