Photo by: Alika Jenner
Washington Rowing Adds Three To Powerhouse Coaching Staff Ahead Of 2025-26 Season
October 02, 2025 | Women's Rowing
SEATTLE – The University of Washington women's rowing team enters the 2025-26 NCAA season with three strategic additions to its coaching staff: Kate Bertko, Cailly O'Toole, and Graham Ludmer. They join a program already defined by competitive excellence, athlete-first leadership, and a deep bench of rowing experience across collegiate and international levels.
Kate Bertko returns to Washington after previously serving on the coaching staff in 2022. During her time away, she welcomed her daughter, Ada, and now reenters collegiate coaching with the same competitive focus and leadership that defined her Olympic and U.S National Team career. A Princeton alumna, Bertko rowed as an undergraduate before representing the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics, earning multiple World Championship medals across lightweight and open weight events. She later led Stanford's lightweight program to three consecutive IRA national titles.
Cailly O'Toole joins Washington following a championship season with the University of Virginia men's team, helping guide the Cavaliers to the 2025 ACRA National Title. A former Buckeye rower herself, O'Toole previously spent seven years with Ohio State Rowing, progressing from undergraduate assistant to novice coach. Her work focused on walk-on development, athlete mentorship, and building inclusive team culture – skills she now brings to the Women of Washington.
Graham Ludmer comes to Washington from Indiana University, where he served as assistant coach and rigger. A graduate of Purdue University, Ludmer rowed as an undergraduate before transitioning into coaching. He played a key role in supporting Indiana's return to the NCAA Championships and brings over six years of coaching experience across collegiate and club programs, including international coaching in Australia.
These new additions join a staff already anchored by Sam Greenblatt, Director of Athlete Recruitment and former Husky coxswain; Maddie Wanamaker, a Tokyo and Paris Olympian, World Champion, and Wisconsin alumna who now leads Washington's freshman squad; and Elena Collier-Hezel, a member of Washington's 2023 NCAA runner-up team and current U.S. national team trainee. Gabby Quiggle, Director of Olympic Strength and Conditioning, leads the team's physical development and has been with Head Coach Yasmin Farooq, herself a two-time U.S. Olympian and four-time World Championships medalist, since they both arrived at UW in 2016.
Together, this group reflects the depth that defines Washington Rowing—a program that placed more athletes on World Rowing Senior National Teams this year than any other NCAA team, with eleven Huskies earning selection. Four of the eleven graduated directly to their senior teams from Washington Rowing, one returns to compete in 2025-26, and Collier-Hezel continues her journey as both coach and athlete.
From NCAA podiums to Olympic finals, this staff brings a rare blend of technical expertise, recruiting savvy, and a deep, hands-on commitment to developing athletes across every stage of their journey.
Kate Bertko returns to Washington after previously serving on the coaching staff in 2022. During her time away, she welcomed her daughter, Ada, and now reenters collegiate coaching with the same competitive focus and leadership that defined her Olympic and U.S National Team career. A Princeton alumna, Bertko rowed as an undergraduate before representing the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics, earning multiple World Championship medals across lightweight and open weight events. She later led Stanford's lightweight program to three consecutive IRA national titles.
Cailly O'Toole joins Washington following a championship season with the University of Virginia men's team, helping guide the Cavaliers to the 2025 ACRA National Title. A former Buckeye rower herself, O'Toole previously spent seven years with Ohio State Rowing, progressing from undergraduate assistant to novice coach. Her work focused on walk-on development, athlete mentorship, and building inclusive team culture – skills she now brings to the Women of Washington.
Graham Ludmer comes to Washington from Indiana University, where he served as assistant coach and rigger. A graduate of Purdue University, Ludmer rowed as an undergraduate before transitioning into coaching. He played a key role in supporting Indiana's return to the NCAA Championships and brings over six years of coaching experience across collegiate and club programs, including international coaching in Australia.
These new additions join a staff already anchored by Sam Greenblatt, Director of Athlete Recruitment and former Husky coxswain; Maddie Wanamaker, a Tokyo and Paris Olympian, World Champion, and Wisconsin alumna who now leads Washington's freshman squad; and Elena Collier-Hezel, a member of Washington's 2023 NCAA runner-up team and current U.S. national team trainee. Gabby Quiggle, Director of Olympic Strength and Conditioning, leads the team's physical development and has been with Head Coach Yasmin Farooq, herself a two-time U.S. Olympian and four-time World Championships medalist, since they both arrived at UW in 2016.
Together, this group reflects the depth that defines Washington Rowing—a program that placed more athletes on World Rowing Senior National Teams this year than any other NCAA team, with eleven Huskies earning selection. Four of the eleven graduated directly to their senior teams from Washington Rowing, one returns to compete in 2025-26, and Collier-Hezel continues her journey as both coach and athlete.
From NCAA podiums to Olympic finals, this staff brings a rare blend of technical expertise, recruiting savvy, and a deep, hands-on commitment to developing athletes across every stage of their journey.
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