Meet your First Strokes Coaches and Coxswains
Olivia Mencias
What's your rowing story?
I heard about rowing from my 5th grade teacher, who rowed on the masters program at IRC. She would bring in medals and show us videos of her races, I thought it was so cool! So I did a Learn to Row summer camp in 2018 before my 8th grade year and instantly fell in love. I rowed for my first two years at IRC before switching to coxing for my last three years. I am currently a coxswain for Indiana University’s D1 Women’s Rowing Team. However, my involvement at IRC has not stopped. This summer I am the Head Coach for this exciting new program, First Strokes. Along with this I am the Summer Camp Director of the Learn to Row summer camp (yes, the very camp that got me started)!
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
I believe that with rowing, you get out of it what you put into it. In other words, it is incredibly rewarding in many aspects. So my advice is to lean into it as much as you can. The sport and the community are truly special and I am very excited for you all to be part of it.
Tell us something fun!
My mom, aunt and uncle are all doing this! Hi Mom, Monica and Jeff!
Chris Marr
What's your rowing story?
I learned about rowing when reading a magazine about the 2008 Olympic Games, I learned it helped to be tall and have great endurance so I decided to try it! After being a swimmer and runner, i started rowing at University of Illinois for a small club team, where I not only learned to row and race, but also everything it takes to run a team. While I moved to Indiana in March, I have been coaching rowing year round in Seattle for 11 years, the last 6 as my full time job. I have coached over 30 young women to scholarship and D1 rowing teams, including multiple regional championships and 2 podium finishes at youth nationals.
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
try something new and maintain humility. Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it’s the courage to continue that counts.
Tell us something fun!
I have 2 young children and have enjoyed all the family friendly parks and pools in the area, my wife and I met rowing, and our teamwork just keeps getting stronger
Lisa Stickley
What's your rowing story?
I discovered rowing about four years ago when I signed up for a Learn to Row class—just like the participants in First Strokes—right here at IRC. I instantly fell in love with the sport, and it’s truly changed my life for the better.
Rowing has helped me grow not only as an athlete, but also as a teammate and a person. One of my life mottos is “iron sharpens iron.” When you surround yourself with the right crew, you get stronger—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’ve found that crew here at IRC, and I’m beyond excited for you to find yours.
There aren’t many opportunities in adulthood to be part of a true team and community, but trust me—you’ll find both at IRC.
I now serve on the Board of Directors at IRC and I’m also the Interim Head of Adult Programming. On the water, I row with the competitive team, and I love both sweep and sculling. I am also on an international indoor rowing team.
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
Rowing isn’t easy—you’re using over 85% of your muscles on a moving, unstable surface, all while trying to stay in perfect sync with your crew. That’s what makes it both beautiful and challenging.
My biggest piece of advice: Be patient, and give yourself grace. Like anything in life, consistency is key. Just keep showing up and having fun, and I promise—you will get better over time.
Tell us something fun!
One of my favorite rowing memories was at Masters Nationals / RowFest in Oklahoma City last year. I went with three other women from the IRC competitive team, and together we walked away with two golds, one silver, and two bronze medals. I also competed in the 500m indoor World Rowing Championship in 2024 and got Bronze in my age category. The bond I've built with my IRC crew through all of my rowing at IRC is something I truly cherish—it’s one of the amazing things that makes this sport so special.
Ruben Rapi
What’s your rowing story?
I got into rowing thanks to my older brother, Ahmet. He dragged me down to the boathouse one summer evening, and I haven’t looked back since. At first, I was just trying to keep up, but soon, the sport completely hooked me. I loved the discipline, the challenge, and the feeling of being part of something bigger. Over the years, rowing has taken me from local regattas to international competitions, including two World Championships. These days, I spend most of my time giving back to the sport through coaching and organizing beginner programs like First Strokes. Helping others take their first strokes is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
Don’t stress about getting it perfect right away, just show up, stay curious, and trust the process. Rowing is a sport where progress comes steadily if you’re consistent. It can feel awkward at first, but that’s part of the magic. And don’t compare yourself to others, everyone starts somewhere. Focus on enjoying the rhythm, the water, and the small wins in every session.
Tell us something fun!
Once, during a training camp, a swan chased our boat halfway down the course because we accidentally got too close to its nest. We rowed our fastest 500 meters ever, pure survival speed! Outside of rowing, I love working on creative projects, especially those that connect people to the sport or inspire someone to try something new. Oh, and I can juggle. Badly. But I try anyway.
Ahmet Rapi
What’s your rowing story?
I started rowing as a teenager, and to be honest, I wasn’t very good at first. I struggled with the technique, the timing, and the training. But something inside me wanted to keep going. Year after year, I showed up, trained hard, and slowly improved. After 17 years in the sport, I finally achieved something I had dreamed of for a long time, winning an international medal. It was a bronze at a World Cup, and for me, it meant everything. Now, I dedicate much of my time to coaching and helping others discover the power of persistence that rowing has taught me.
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
Be patient with yourself. Everyone feels awkward in the beginning, even elite rowers started with wobbly strokes. Don’t overthink it. Focus on the basics, listen to your coach, and enjoy the journey. It’s not about being the strongest or the fastest right away, it’s about showing up, learning, and building confidence step by step.
Tell us something fun!
One of the coolest moments I’ve had was rowing with my brother Ruben at a big regatta and winning the senior event. Ruben was just 17 at the time, so it was a real underdog story, and also the first time we competed together. Outside of rowing, I love hiking, being out in nature clears my mind and gives me energy for everything else I do.
Ava Mardis
What’s your rowing story?
I was recruited to row as an out of sport athlete by the University of Michigan fall of my senior year after playing volleyball and softball my whole life. I joined IRC in that Winter to be introduced to the sport and had so much fun learning to row and making new friends! Now I am a rising sophomore on the Michigan rowing team, and I’m so excited to teach the sport that has become such an important part of my life.
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
Enjoy every step of the learning process and have fun with it.
Tell us something fun!
I love playing pickleball with my friends and teammates while we are all home in the summer. Most of the time our matches get super intense, and it’s fun to channel my competitiveness outside of rowing.
Sahara Geyer
What's your rowing story?
I joined rowing of my junior of high school from 2022 of fall to 2024 of spring of my senior year. I had heard of rowing from a couple of my friends and decided to try it out. I have walked on to the Indiana University Rowing team at IU this past year and I have loved being involved in rowing in college!
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
Some advice I would give is to keep trying and practicing because it takes time to really get the handle of it but if you are consistent with the sport of rowing it really does make a difference and you can see how much you will improve.
Tell us something fun!
Some of my favorite rowing memories are being on the bus with my teammates traveling!
Charlotte Rozzi
What’s your rowing story?
I started rowing at IRC in 8th grade and never stopped. I have coached youth summer camps in the past and am excited to transition to masters coaching. Now I am a rising sophomore at Indiana University on the Women’s Rowing Team.
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
Every mistake or misstep is an opportunity to improve.
Tell us something fun!
My favorite game is scrabble and while I am not the best I am an avid player.
Paris Miller
What’s your rowing story?
Hi! My name is Paris Miller and I am currently a sports media and marketing student at Indiana University. I began my rowing career at Indianapolis Rowing Center as a freshman in high school. A couple records, races, and a selection camp later I committed to The University of Virginia and spent a year rowing there. After facing an injury that required me to take a year off, I am pursuing rowing again in the single while working with the reintroduced rowing club at IU 🙂
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
I would tell someone brand new to rowing to enjoy everything it has to offer as well as focus on the small things, being new to something hard can be frustrating at times but you will always get back what you put into it. The small, day to day memories I made at IRC will last me a lifetime!
Tell us something fun!
My favorite rowing memory is my first regatta at the Head of the Cuyahoga. I stroked the novice 8 and everything was so new, exciting, and it was the beginning of friendships that I’ll have forever.
Connor Rink
What’s your rowing story?
I was introduced to the sport of rowing in the fall of 2018, when my
middle school principal sent an email about it, and I thought it
looked cool. I started rowing that fall and have been doing so for the
past 7 years. I was a member of the IRC junior team for six years and
have continued to row in college. I now row for the Indiana University
club team, where I serve as the Vice President.
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
My advice for a brand-new rower would be to keep an open mind and be
patient! Rowing is a sport where you get out what you put into it. If
you have patience with the sport and are open to all the new things
you can learn from it, you'll find success within the sport!
Tell us something fun!
My favorite thing about rowing is racing! Getting to attend regattas
and racing against other crews is so much fun
Izzy Wood
What’s your rowing story?
Hi, my name is Izzy! I started rowing in the fall of 2021 after a couple of friends recruited me. They said I would love it, and they were absolutely right. I rowed for a few seasons, but switched to coxing due to injury — and I ended up coxing the mens first varsity 8+. I rowed for a little bit in university, but decided to take a break. I still love to stay in involved as much as I can, coming back in the summers to coach, and sometimes jumping in a boat with my friends.
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
Some advice I would give to someone new to rowing is to be patient with yourself. This is such a unique sport that comes with such a huge learning curve, so patience is key. And have fun with it!
Tell us something fun!
I think one of my favorite rowing memories (hard to choose) is when my boat threw me in the water after we won our race at Indy Sprints. Everyone jumped in, and we had such a fun time.
CJ Ulmer
What’s your rowing story?
My sister got into rowing as a high school freshman, and she immediately began to love the sport. I would go watch her races and began to develop a love for seeing all of the boats and racing. I decided that I wanted to follow in her footsteps and try rowing out that next summer. Ever since then I have not looked back. I have been on the juniors team for about 2.5 years and I love every moment of it. I can’t wait to finish out my final year on this team!
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
Go into it confident! It’s going to be awkward and definitely difficult, but if you go in confident and willing to learn, it will be a great experience.
Tell us something fun!
My best memory of rowing was when I went to the Head of the Charles with my 4+. It was an unforgettable experience to be at such a huge race with so much great competition. On top of that a great trip for my boat!
Benson Lam
What’s your rowing story?
I started my freshman year of highschool and have grown to love the sport and the culture it creates. I lead my team to two scholastic nationals appearance with a medal in the four. Then at Michigan State University I served as the recruitment chair the last few years where I built the team from 30 people to 90 people recruiting the second fastest Novice eight at ACRA beating Purdue, Michigan, Virginia, and all of the other schools. During my time at MSU I have collected a silver and bronze medal at ACRA and I’m looking forwards to serving as the Vice President next year!
What advice would you give someone brand new to rowing?
Don’t be scared off after a bad row, you will learn that this sport is one of the most unique sports out there and the community that is built around it is one of the best you can be apart of!
Tell us something fun!
bananas are berries, but strawberries are not.