Coaching Team

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Head Coach & Program Director | DC National since 2018

Julian joined DC National in 2018 and has overseen the growth of the club into a program of more than 110 middle- and high-school rowers. Under his leadership, DC National has developed into a nationally competitive junior rowing program, with crews regularly qualifying for the USRowing Youth National Championships and athletes competing successfully at major regattas throughout the United States and Canada.

During his time at DC National, Julian has coached a Youth National Championship winning crew and helped develop numerous athletes who have gone on to row at highly competitive collegiate programs across the country. Athletes he has coached have also progressed beyond junior and collegiate rowing to represent the United States in international competition.

Julian has coached professionally since 2007. Before joining DC National, he spent eight years coaching at Montclair Rowing in New Jersey, where his crews won consecutive Stotesbury Cup and SRAA National Championship titles and produced multiple U.S. Junior National Team athletes. He began rowing as a coxswain, competed as a high school sculler, and rowed collegiately at the University of Michigan.

Varsity Coach | DC National since 2022

Norah joined DC National in 2022 and primarily works with the girls varsity team. She has played an important role in the growth of the competitive program and the club’s culture, while also taking on significant administrative responsibilities that support the program behind the scenes.

During her time at DC National, Norah has helped develop numerous athletes who have gone on to row at the collegiate level and coached DC National’s Youth National Championship-winning crew. She has been instrumental in establishing the standards, expectations, and team culture that have helped the girls program become consistently competitive at the regional and national level.

Norah began rowing at Florida State University in 2018. She competed at the American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championships, finishing seventh in the Women’s Varsity 4+ in 2019 and fourth in 2022 after a second-place finish at Southeast Regionals. She also held several leadership positions within the Florida State rowing program, including Secretary, Vice President, and President.

Norah began coaching at Capital City Rowing in 2020, where she worked with the women’s program and coached two novice classes. Her crews earned medals at the Florida State Championships and Southeast Regionals, including a U17 4+ that qualified for the USRowing Youth National Championships.

Varsity Coach | DC National since 2020

Maxim joined the DC National coaching staff in 2020 and has been an important part of the club’s growth and development over the years since. He has coached athletes at every level of the high school program and, in recent years, has taken a leading role with DC National’s novice and U17 groups.

Maxim has developed a particular strength in introducing young athletes to competitive rowing and helping them progress from beginners into technically skilled, confident rowers prepared for the demands of varsity competition. His ability to teach the sport, establish high standards, and build strong relationships with his athletes has made him a valued and well-liked coach within the program.

Maxim is also an alumnus of the club. He began rowing as a freshman with Churchill Crew and was part of the program as it evolved into Montgomery Boat Club, a predecessor of DC National. A four-year varsity coxswain and two-year captain, he helped lead the team to some of its strongest results, including a then-club-best performance at the Head of the Charles.

After high school, Maxim continued his rowing career at Georgetown University, where he earned a seat in the Heavyweight Varsity Eight and competed at the IRA National Championship. He has also competed internationally, representing the United States at the World Rowing Masters Regatta in Budapest.

Middle School Head Coach  | DC National since 2021

Sarah leads DC National’s middle school program, which she has helped build from the ground up into a team of approximately 35 athletes. Under her leadership, the program has become an important introduction to rowing for younger athletes and a strong pathway into DC National’s high school team, with many middle school rowers continuing with the club as they get older.

Sarah sets the tone for a program that emphasizes learning, teamwork, and having fun on the water while giving athletes a strong technical foundation. Her ability to make rowing enjoyable and accessible has helped young athletes develop a love for the sport while preparing those who want to continue for the next level of training and competition.

Sarah began rowing at La Lumiere School in 2014, competing as a sculler in the 1x, 2x, and 4x. During high school, she qualified for the SRAA National Championship Regatta three times and also trained with Ready Set Row, where she gained experience in sweep rowing and competed at Club Nationals.

She continued rowing at Purdue University while earning her degree in nutrition science. By her sophomore year, Sarah was stroking Purdue’s women’s first eight, which entered the ACRA National Championship ranked first. During her senior year, she shifted her focus toward helping develop her teammates and preparing for a career in coaching.

Assistant Coach | DC National since 2018

Jeff brings decades of rowing and coaching experience to DC National and has worked with athletes at every level of the program. A longtime lead coach of Baltimore Community Rowing’s competitive men’s program, he has also served as president of Baltimore Community Rowing and brings a deep understanding of both the competitive and organizational sides of the sport.

At DC National, Jeff has been a trusted resource for athletes and coaches alike. He helps rowers develop the technical skills and understanding of the sport needed to compete at a high level, while generously sharing his experience across the program. His perspective and steady approach have made him an important mentor within the coaching staff.

Jeff also plays an important role in maintaining DC National’s equipment. His knowledge of rowing shells and equipment repair has helped keep the club’s fleet in good working order and ensures that athletes have the equipment they need to train and race effectively.

Rowing has also been a family pursuit for Jeff, whose children competed in the sport. That experience, combined with his years as a coach, club leader, and rower, gives him a valuable perspective on the sport and on the development of young athletes.

Varsity Coach | DC National since 2026

Briggs joined the DC National coaching staff in the fall of 2026 and works primarily with the club’s novice and U17 athletes. A DC National alumnus himself, he brings firsthand experience with the program and now helps newer rowers build the technical foundation and training habits they need to progress into varsity rowing.

Before returning to DC National as a coach, Briggs spent two years with First Coast Rowing Club in Jacksonville, Florida, where he served as a lead assistant coach working with middle and high school athletes six days a week. He focused on athlete development and performance, assisted with Learn-to-Row programs that brought more than 25 new athletes into the club, and helped manage equipment and race-day logistics.

Briggs rowed collegiately for five years with the University of Wisconsin men’s varsity rowing team while earning a degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics. His experience as a DC National athlete, Division I collegiate rower, and junior coach gives him a strong perspective on the progression from learning the sport to competing at a high level.

Middle School Coach | DC National since 2026

Gabby joined DC National in 2026 and works with the club’s middle school program, helping younger athletes learn the fundamentals of rowing, build confidence on the water, and develop a positive connection to the sport.

Gabby began rowing as a walk-on at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2020 and competed with the women’s varsity team throughout her four-year collegiate career. She raced at the Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference Championships, earning first-place finishes in the 3V8+ in 2022 and the 2V8+ in 2024, along with a second-place finish in the 2V8+ in 2023. She was also part of St. Mary’s NCAA Championship squads in 2022 and 2024.

In addition to competing, Gabby took on significant leadership roles within the program. She served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, became team captain in 2023, and was recognized as Most Dedicated to Team Improvement in both 2023 and 2024. She has continued rowing after college with Baltimore Community Rowing, where she now serves as captain of the women’s competitive team.

Gabby also brings experience working directly with children. As a camp counselor with Bar-T, she led and supervised a group of 20 girls entering sixth grade, organized activities, and helped create a fun, supportive environment where campers could build friendships, learn new skills, and gain confidence.

Her combination of competitive rowing experience, team leadership, and experience working with middle-school-aged kids makes her a strong fit for DC National’s middle school program.