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.
MYAH DANNER
Women's Novice Coach
Coming from a background of competitive swimming, Myah has always loved endurance sports. She joined Pitt Crew her freshman year looking to try something new and just as challenging, and spent all four years as an active member on the team. Not only did this team give her the opportunity to compete and succeed at high level races like Head of the Charles and Dad Vails, it also allowed her to meet her closest friends. Having such a great experience, she knew that she wanted to coach by her sophomore year and feels beyond privileged to be coaching the Novice Women this season. Myah spent four years learning how to be successful as an inexperienced rower and hopes to teach this novice class those characteristics and give them a love for challenge. Myah is beyond excited for the spring season and can't wait to see what they can do!
JULIA ROSELLI
Women's Varsity Coach
Julia Roselli joined the coaching staff fall of 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.
OWEN POWELL
Men's Novice Coach
Owen joined the coaching staff this fall as a novice men's/women's coach. He ran track and cross country in high school and thought rowing could be fun. He joined Pitt crew, started rowing in college, and decided to coach after graduating. He was the men's novice captain when he was on the team. He loved his time on the team as a rower and wanted to give back by helping coach. He is very excited to support and watch the team improve, and can't wait to see what the Novice teams can do.
ETHAN RIHN
Men's Novice Coach
Ethan joined the rowing community in 2016 as a high school freshman at North Catholic High School, soon becoming the top strokeman. Despite a disrupted senior season due to the pandemic, he continued his rowing career at the University of Pittsburgh with great success, earning medals at competitions and making significant physical and technical improvements. Over eight years of competing, rowing has profoundly shaped Ethan's life, and he is grateful for the lessons, friendships, and experiences it has brought him. After developing a knee injury, Ethan wanted to give back to the rowing community and support the team by applying his acquired knowledge and joining the coaching staff. He finds the experience deeply rewarding and looks forward to continuing to support his rowers' growth as both individuals and athletes.
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.
MYAH DANNER
Women's Novice Coach
Coming from a background of competitive swimming, Myah has always loved endurance sports. She joined Pitt Crew her freshman year looking to try something new and just as challenging, and spent all four years as an active member on the team. Not only did this team give her the opportunity to compete and succeed at high level races like Head of the Charles and Dad Vails, it also allowed her to meet her closest friends. Having such a great experience, she knew that she wanted to coach by her sophomore year and feels beyond privileged to be coaching the Novice Women this season. Myah spent four years learning how to be successful as an inexperienced rower and hopes to teach this novice class those characteristics and give them a love for challenge. Myah is beyond excited for the spring season and can't wait to see what they can do!
JULIA ROSELLI
Varsity Women's Coach
Julia Roselli joined the coaching staff fall of 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.
OWEN POWELL
Novice Men's Coach
; Owen joined the coaching staff this fall as a novice men's/women's coach. He ran track and cross country in high school and thought rowing could be fun. He joined Pitt crew, started rowing in college, and decided to coach after graduating. He was the men's novice captain when he was on the team. He loved his time on the team as a rower adn wanted to give back by helping coach. He is very excited to support and watch teh team improve, and can't wait to see what the Novice teams can do.
ETHAN RIHN
Men's Novice Coach
Ethan joined the rowing community in 2016 as a high school freshman at North Catholic High School, soon becoming the top strokeman. Despite a disrupted senior season due to the pandemic, he continued his rowing career at the University of Pittsburgh with great success, earning medals at competitions and making significant physical and technical improvements. Over eight years of competing, rowing has profoundly shaped Ethan's life, and he is grateful for the lessons, friendships, and experiences it has brought him. After developing a knee injury, Ethan wanted to give back to the rowing community and support the team by applying his acquired knowledge and joining the coaching staff. He finds the experience deeply rewarding and looks forward to continuing to support his rowers' growth as both individuals and athletes.