PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's new head coach of women's rowing, Bill Manning, has announced the addition of Allyson Baker to his staff. Baker joins Manning and Kumari Lewis, who was retained by Manning as the program's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator.
 
"Kumari and I are thrilled that Allyson has joined us at Penn," said Manning, who was hired as Penn's head coach in August. "She was a force in NCAA rowing as a student. More recently, she impressed me during our time together on the USA Senior National Team as an intelligent, dedicated athlete with a strong commitment to the overall team and her teammates. Allyson embodies the qualities that underpin Penn Women's Rowing. Her understanding of all that contributes to boat speed as well as her experience making fast boats will serve our athletes extremely well."
 
"I am thrilled to be joining the Penn women's rowing staff," said Baker. "It has been so great to watch this program grow from the outside over the past few years, and I am excited to see what progress I can make with the team alongside Bill, Kumari and the athletes. I think my experience as an elite athlete will bring a unique perspective to the staff."
 
A former walk-on rower who raised herself to the sport's highest levels, Baker competed for USRowing at the World Championships in 2019 (Linz, Austria) and 2022 (Racice, Czech Republic). She rowed in two U.S. boats at the 2019 World Cup 2 in Poznan, Poland and took fourth in the 2- at the 2022 World Cup 2 in Poznan.
 
Baker's coaching experience includes The Hun School, where she coaches the boys, and the Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA) where she coaches the novice and varsity girls. PNRA sent four boats to 2023 Youth Nationals and won bronze in the Youth 2-.
 
Baker walked on to the women's rowing team at The Ohio State University and was a member from 2013-17, helping the Buckeyes win the NCAA championship in 2014 and 2015 as well as four Big Ten titles. She graduated from OSU with a bachelor's degree in health and rehabilitation services. While in Columbus, Baker was a member of the school's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).