Alfredo Montenegro is returning as LBJC's Women's Varsity coach for his third year.  Alfredo grew up in Peru and Spain and began rowing when he was 16 years old.  He went on to become a member of the Peruvian National Team, earning a bronze medal in the men's 2+ at the 1983 Pan Am Games and competing in the men's 2+ at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.  Alfredo is a US Rowing Level III certified coach who has gone on to train teams from LBRA that placed 1st in the men's 4x at the Nike Games in 1998, 2nd in the women's masters 8+ at the 1999 Head of the Charles, and 1st place with a course record for the women's 8+ at the 2001 Head of the Charles.

     Most recently, Alfredo coached LBJC's Varsity Women to a gold medal at the 2007 USRowing Youth National Championships in the 8+, a gold medal and a course record in the women's 4+ at the 2007 Head of the Charles, two gold medals at the 2008 USRowing Youth National Championships in the 2x and 4x, and a silver medal in the lightweight 4+.  Alfredo's success in coaching rowers at both the junior and senior levels stems from a depth of knowledge in proper technique, training, and development, his ability to motivate and encourage, and a respect for each rower which takes into account their physical, mental, and emotional levels.

     Katrin Gleie is a native of Denmark who began rowing for the Lyngby Rowing Club in 1996, joined the Danish National Team in 1998, and rowed for USC from 2000 through 2003.   During this time, Katrin had a long list of accomplishments which included 1st place in the women's 2x at the 1996 Danish National Championships, a Concept2 Ranking of 10th in the world in 1997 with a time of 6:52.1,  6th place in the women's 4x at the 1999 World Championships in Canada, 1st place in the women's 1x at the 2000 Danish National Championships, and 6th place in the women's 4x at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

     Katrin's accomplishments continued throughout her rowing at USC and her most recent success occurred as a member of LBRA, winning the Women's AA 1x and Club B 8+ at the 2008 Masters Nationals here in Long Beach.   Katrin is a certified indoor rowing coach with both Concept2 and Rowbics and is training men and women in the Rowbics program at LBRA and CSULB.  Katrin's combination of National, International, and Olympic experience coupled with her continued competitiveness, dedication, and love of the sport will offer all LBJC rowers a positive example to look up to, learn from, and to follow.

     Jan Mazgajski is a native of Poland and began rowing when he was 12 years old.  Ironically, Jan began his athletic career in smooth water kayaking until one day at the boathouse when he was rowing just for fun, the rowing coach saw him, and immediately put Jan onto the rowing team.  The rest is history.  Jan rowed at the junior level in the top pair in the country and then as the top junior pair in Europe.  He then went on to compete at the senior level as a member of the Polish National Team, rowing in the men's 4+ and 8+ at World Championships in France, Denmark, Canada, and Austria, as well as in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. 

     Jan began his coaching career with a rowing club in Warsaw and then became the coach of Poland's Junior National Team.  Jan offers a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a love for the beauty of the sport that can be passed on to all rowers.

     Sarah Thomas began rowing as a freshman at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio and competed during her college career in the women's lightweight 4+ and the women's 8+.  Sarah became a member of the Los Angeles Rowing Club in 2006 and has been competing with the team in the women's lightweight 4+, the 2x, and also as a coxswain.   Sarah's enthusiasm, ability, and dedication will give the novice women a great start in their training and will undoubtedly be an asset to the club.

     The son of rowing and coaching parents, Peter Graves rowed in High School at the Cincinnati Country Day School where he was the captain of the team for 2 years.   As a senior, Peter placed 4th in the men's 1x and 3rd in the mens 4+ at the USRowing Junior National Championships (and with only 20 minutes between the races).   After graduation, Peter attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where he and his teammates won the Head of the Charles twice in the collegiate men's 8+, and also won the men's 8+ at the 2005 Henley Royal Regatta in England.

     Peter was the captain of the men's collegiate team his junior and senior years as well as the Trinity College Athlete of the Year as a senior.  In 2006, Peter rowed in the men's 4x on the US Under 23 team and he and his older brother rowed together in a 2x at the time trials for the US National Team in 2008.  Peter is also an experienced youth rowing coach.

     Val Stepanchuk was born in Kam'yanets-Podil'skiy, Ukraine and his family moved to California when he was 13.  In High School, Val was on the Track & Field and Cross Country teams.  In 2003, at Orange Coast College, he was looking for a sailing coach when he ran into the rowing coach, Pat Gleason, who invited him to come try out for the team.  Ever since then Val has been hooked.

     Val rowed for 2 years at OCC and began training and coaching at Xeno Muller's Iron Oarsman in 2006.  Val also enjoys cycling, swimming, adventure racing, sailing, triathlons, and competes as part of the US Snowboard Association, recently winning the half pipe and cross race at Big Bear.

     Stefan Sztancsa grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where his first coach was his father, Olympic rower Sergio Sztancsa.  As a junior rower, Stefan was very successful, winning several championships and awards; including the Rio de Janeiro State Championship and State Best Award.  At 19 years old, Stefan earned a seat in the men's 2x on Brazil's Under 23 team and went on to compete at the World Championships in Genoa, Italy.  Stefan has also won Brazilian national titles in the men's 2x and 4x.

     Stefan has successfully coached novice and masters rowers, focusing on method and technique. He has attended a coaching seminar with British coach Terry O'Neil and most recently became a certified indoor trainer for Concept2 in Brazil, training rowers and other coaches.

     Jacqueline Van Andel began rowing with LBJC when she was in 8th grade and during her high school career was chosen to go to the US Junior National Selection Camp during both her junior and senior years.  After graduating from Valley Christian High School, Jacqueline took some time off from rowing to begin working and taking classes at Long Beach City College.  She is returning to rowing as a coach for LBJC and will be training for a position on the US Women's Under 23 team.

     Megan Hitt began rowing with Long Beach Junior Crew when she was 15 years old and continued through her senior year in 2002.  After graduation, Megan continued to row at Orange Coast College and also coached with LBJC's Recreational Team and Summer Programs from 2002 through 2004.  Megan has returned to LBJC after earning her Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and is happy to be back rowing and coaching.