Jacksonville's Director of Rowing, Mike Lane, has announced the promotion of Kayla Thieken to Associate Head Coach on Friday.
Thieken, who was previously listed as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator, joined the Dolphins on the waterfront in the summer of 2020.
"I have worked with Kayla for the last three and a half years and could not be prouder of the hard work she has put in," said head coach Mike Lane. "She has truly become a partner to me and our other coaches with the goal of accomplishing an amazing team culture and work ethic from our athletes! She is very deserving of this promotion, and I am fired up to watch her continue to develop and make JU Rowing better!"
"Our focus is always the success of our athletes," Lane further added. "However, being able to celebrate the accomplishments of our coaching staff is very exciting. I believe we have one of the most loyal, caring, amazing groups of coaches here at the boathouse, and I am so excited about how we all work together to accomplish our goals."
In her three seasons on the women's rowing staff, Coach Thieken has helped the Dolphins capture back-to-back MAAC Championships in 2022 and 2023. These marked the sixth and seventh, respectively, championships in program history. In addition, Thieken has helped guide the Dolphins to two straight NCAA Tournament appearances, in which the Dolphins put together their two best showings at the regatta, progressing up the rankings at both events.
"I am beyond grateful for being named Associate Head Coach!," said Thieken. "I am glad to have taken on more responsibility to improve my role on this team. I am thrilled for the opportunity to continue my career with JU Women's Rowing at a higher capacity. The support of our student-athletes, staff, and my family has played a significant role in my growth and development. I could not be more excited to continue this journey with the team. Here's to many more successful seasons ahead!"
Jacksonville's 2023 season included a second consecutive sweep of the MAAC Championships. At the conclusion of this past season's conference regatta, the Dolphins put together their best-ever finish in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, against the fastest boats in the country at the NCAA Championship. JU beat out a total of four boats in the 2023 final, which was both a conference and program best, boasting the program's steady rise nationally in rowing.
The spring segment of the 2023-24 season begins with the program's senior day and Rock the Docks celebration on March 3rd. The Dolphins will compete in nine total events this spring, with the MAAC Championships taking place on May 19th in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Comments