PHILADELPHIA – the University of Pennsylvania's head women's rowing coach, Wesley Ng, has announced the promotion of Kumari Lewis to associate head coach.
 
"I'm thrilled and grateful for Kumari's promotion to Associate Head Coach for Penn Women's Rowing," said Ng, Penn's head coach since July 2015. "For the past six years, Kumari has been instrumental in attracting and developing world-class talent and helping change the program's trajectory and expectations with her tireless effort. From the most challenging moments during the pandemic-restricted seasons to now, I have relied on Kumari's deep sense of responsibility, alignment on what it takes to succeed at Penn culturally, and her ability to form meaningful connections with our student-athletes. Two of the most successful seasons in recent Penn history would not have happened without her. She is humble, but her capacity to learn, inspire, and adapt make her a rising force among collegiate rowing coaches."
 
Since Lewis' hiring as an assistant coach in August 2017, Penn women's rowing has made significant strides, including the program's first two full-team appearances at the NCAA Championship in 2022 and 2023.  After finishing 11th in the nation in 2022, Penn vaulted to sixth in the overall team standings at the 2023 NCAAs, highlighted by the Varsity Eight finishing fourth in the country. During her tenure at Penn, Lewis has been instrumental in earning improved team finishes culminating in a 3^rd place overall at the 2023 Ivy League Championship with a silver medal in the Varsity Eight and a bronze medal in the 2V8.
 
Following the regular season and NCAA Championship success, Lewis and fellow assistant Helen Samaniego garnered recognition by being named the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Region I Staff of the Year for the first time in program history.
 
Continuing a streak of firsts, Lewis was the lead coach for Penn's first post-season overseas trip to the United Kingdom, where the Quakers made their debut at both the Henley Women's Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta. The Quakers made an inspiring run at Henley in the Island Challenge Cup, defeating Stanford University in the semifinals and falling just short of beating British University champion Oxford Brookes for the title.


In addition to her success at Penn, Lewis has experience coaching with USRowing, coaching for the US Junior National High-Performance Camp in 2019 and the Junior National Olympic Development Camp in 2021. She also spent the summers of 2017 and 2018 as a resident assistant with the USRowing Junior National Selection Camp in New London, Conn.
 
What They're Saying about Kumari…
"Kumari's elevation to associate head coach is well deserved. Having worked alongside her this past year, I am continually impressed by her tireless work ethic and good nature. Kumari is a big reason why Penn women's rowing is performing at the highest level and she is a great role model for every student-athlete in the boathouse."
  Al Monte, Nicholas B. Paumgarten Head Coach of Penn Men's Heavyweight Rowing
 
"Kumari has been a big part of helping to create one of the best rowing staffs in the country. I'm excited for this promotion for both her personally and Penn Rowing as a whole.  I look forward to continuing to work alongside her in the coming years." 
  Colin Farrell, Fred Leonard Head Coach of Penn Men's Lightweight Rowing