University of Pittsburgh Rowing Club
Pitt Rowing Club
DANIEL GRANCEA
Head Coach
Eighteen years ago Daniel Grancea assumed the responsibility and role as the Head Coach of the University of Pittsburgh Rowing Club. Coming into a team built on potential, he had a vision for the future that perhaps few could perceive. Over the years Daniel has invested unimaginable amounts of his time and energy into building a lasting legacy for the University of Pittsburgh Rowing Club.
In these eighteen short years this vision has become a reality. Under Daniel's leadership, the team has come to achieve numerous institutional and athletic successes, acquiring a brand new fleet of racing shells, the development of a strong network of administrative and financial relations, and of course, medals earned on the water.
Recognized in 2011 and 2022 as ACRA regional coach of the year, Dan continues to encourage the qualities of perseverance, self-discipline, pride, and passion in all his rowers as athletes and individuals in our everyday lives.
ZACHARY SEBASTIAN
Men’s Varsity Coach
Zachary rowed at Canisius High School in Buffalo, NY for four years before coming to the University of Pittsburgh to continue his rowing career. At Canisius, Zachary won a gold medal at SRRA National Championships in the Senior 4+, and qualified for Youth Nationals that same year. While on Pitt crew, Zachary qualified for Grand Finals in the Varsity and Junior Varsity 4+ at Dad Vails, and he won medals at various other collegiate races. After his fourth year on Pitt crew, Zachary injured his back and decided to become a novice men’s coach to give back to a team that gave him so much as an undergrad at Pitt. Zachary coached the 2021-2022 novice men’s team through his final year at the University of Pittsburgh, and hopes to continue coaching the men’s team as a varsity coach for the 2022-2023 year.
JULIA ROSELLI
Women's Varsity Coach
Julia Roselli joined the coaching staff fall 2024 to coach the novice women. Julia is originally from Buffalo, NY, and spent her high school years rowing for Nardin Academy. When she began studying at Pitt, she continued her rowing career while pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering. She was captain of her high school team as well as the Pitt team. Julia's high school rowing success includes winning Canadian-US Nationals in her lightweight 8 and placing 3rd at US Scholastic Nationals in the same boat. At Pitt, her pair with Taylor Mathis earned silver at Dad Vails and her Varsity Club 4+ also earned silver at Dad Vails that year. Her love for coaching began a few years ago when she was an assistant coach for the Summer Rowing League at Three Rivers Rowing. The next year she started coaching at her home boathouse, West Side Rowing Club, as the Head Coach of their new Adult Learn to Row program. She was also a counselor for Crew Camp and a coach for Masters Rowing and Learn to Scull programs. Julia hopes to continue the success she had as a rower in her coaching career and is excited about the future spring season for her novice women.
DANIEL GRANCEA
Head Coach
Eighteen years ago Daniel Grancea assumed the responsibility and role as the Head Coach of the University of Pittsburgh Rowing Club. Coming into a team built on potential, he had a vision for the future that perhaps few could perceive. Over the years Daniel has invested unimaginable amounts of his time and energy into building a lasting legacy for the University of Pittsburgh Rowing Club.
In these eighteen short years this vision has become a reality. Under Daniel's leadership, the team has come to achieve numerous institutional and athletic successes, acquiring a brand new fleet of racing shells, the development of a strong network of administrative and financial relations, and of course, medals earned on the water.
Recognized in 2011 and 2022 as ACRA regional coach of the year, Dan continues to encourage the qualities of perseverance, self-discipline, pride, and passion in all his rowers as athletes and individuals in our everyday lives.
ZACHARY SEBASTIAN
Varsity Men's Coach
Zachary rowed at Canisius High School in Buffalo, NY for four years before coming to the University of Pittsburgh to continue his rowing career. At Canisius, Zachary won a gold medal at SRRA National Championships in the Senior 4+, and qualified for Youth Nationals that same year. While on Pitt crew, Zachary qualified for Grand Finals in the Varsity and Junior Varsity 4+ at Dad Vails, and he won medals at various other collegiate races. After his fourth year on Pitt crew, Zachary injured his back and decided to become a novice men’s coach to give back to a team that gave him so much as an undergrad at Pitt. Zachary coached the 2021-2022 novice men’s team through his final year at the University of Pittsburgh, and hopes to continue coaching the men’s team as a varsity coach for the 2022-2023 year.
JULIA ROSELLI
Varsity Women's Coach
Julia Roselli joined the coaching staff fall 2024 to coach the novice women. Julia is originally from Buffalo, NY, and spent her high school years rowing for Nardin Academy. When she began studying at Pitt, she continued her rowing career while pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering. She was captain of her high school team as well as the Pitt team. Julia's high school rowing success includes winning Canadian-US Nationals in her lightweight 8 and placing 3rd at US Scholastic Nationals in the same boat. At Pitt, her pair with Taylor Mathis earned silver at Dad Vails and her Varsity Club 4+ also earned silver at Dad Vails that year. Her love for coaching began a few years ago when she was an assistant coach for the Summer Rowing League at Three Rivers Rowing. The next year she started coaching at her home boathouse, West Side Rowing Club, as the Head Coach of their new Adult Learn to Row program. She was also a counselor for Crew Camp and a coach for Masters Rowing and Learn to Scull programs. Julia hopes to continue the success she had as a rower in her coaching career and is excited about the future spring season for her novice women.