|
Education: Jacksonville University Alumni
Currently a Sales Representative for
Kraft Foods.
Montia began his rowing career in South Jersey at the prestigious St. Augustine Preparatory School in 1998. After graduating he was then recruited for Jacksonville University, where he rowed all four years. During his time at JU he won many titles including gold at FIRA, gold at SIRA, and medaled at Dad Vail’s. He was also named captain of the Varsity Men’s team for two years. While he was in college he also attended Penn Athletic Rowing Club during the summer.
Montia has coached at St. Augustine Prep, Viking Rowing Club, and Jacksonville University. In his first year coaching at UF, he led his Novice Men's 4+ to a third place finish at both FIRA and SIRA. After two successful years as the novice men’s coach, he was promoted to the varsity men’s head coach. Last year, he led the varsity men to a silver medal in the Men’s Championship 4+ at Head of the Hooch, as well as bronze medals at States in both the Men’s 4+ and 8. The season concluded with the Varsity 8 reaching the semi-finals at Dad Vail, missing the petite final by less than a second.
 |
Cory Gendron
Men's Novice Coach
Contact: cgendron@ufl.edu
Rowing Experience:
6 years
Education: Currently studying Economics at UF |
Cory was introduced to rowing at H.B. Plant High School in Tampa, FL, where he began as a coxswain. As a sophomore, he switched to rowing and quickly joined the varsity team. During his senior year, he was part of the first eight to make a final at Scholastic Nationals in his school’s history. After high school, Cory rowed for UF, but a back injury forced him away from rowing. He became the assistant coach for the Varsity Men, coaching the JV Men’s 4 to gold at Rollins Invitational and bronze at FIRA. Last season, he led the Novice Men to a silver medal at States. He returns to the team in his second season as the Men’s Novice coach. |
|
 |
Lauren Spinka
Women's Varsity Coach
Contact:
lauren.spinka@yahoo.com
Rowing Experience:
8 years
Education: University of Florida Graduate in August 2010
(Applied Physiology and Kinesiology) |
Lauren began rowing at H.B. Plant high school in Tampa, FL in 2002. During her four years of rowing there, the program grew in both numbers and speed, and she rowed (stroked) in the first boat out of the Plant boathouse to qualify to race at US Rowing Nationals. After deciding to continue her education at UF, she joined the UF Crew team, and gained valuable experience rowing and coxing. Last year, she became the coach of both the Novice and Varsity Women, leading the Novice Women to a bronze medal at States, as well as to the A final at SIRA. In addition, the varsity women reached the A final at SIRA for the first time in over a decade.
This year, she is looking forward to coaching the Varsity Women's team for the second straight year and taking part in building this team into one of the fastest programs in the state.
 |
Chris Tippin
Women’s Novice Coach
Contact: coachtippin@yahoo.com
Rowing Experience:
9 years
Education:
Jacksonville University Alumni |
Chris Tippin began his rowing career during his freshmen year at JU in 1993 being a part of the freshmen 8+ that finished 4th at Dad Vails. In his rowing career his team won many races, raced in the prestigious Royal Henley Regatta in England, and in his senior year was awarded the Bull Oarsmen award by his fellow teammates. He then used his 5th year of NCAA DIV I eligibility to walk onto the cross country/track team and made the travel team for the cross country NCAA Div I Regional’s.
After graduating from college Chris began coaching at The Bolles School and at the end of the season was given the opportunity to return to his alma mater at JU. In his first year coaching his true novice women won many races, including the Grand Final at SIRA's with open water. Following that season he was invited to coach at Episcopal in Jacksonville and became certified as a US Rowing Coach. In this year, his freshmen men didn't lose a single race- and went on to win the State Championship. After one year of coaching Episcopal, Chris decided to return to JU and coach the novice women and had a successful season, finishing off the season with a close 2nd place finish in the Grand Finals at SIRA's.
After 5 years of coaching Chris decided to take some time off to start a family and travel the world, but was still very active in athletics at that time. In 2004, Chris set the world record in rowing on the erg for the 100km distance for a lightweight that stood till 2009. He has been very active in the triathlon community since 1996, competing both nationally and internationally. Within the past four years, his sole focus has been the IronMan race. Chris and his wife, Lin now live in Gainesville with their 1 year old daughter Kirra. Chris is excited to begin coaching again after taking time off and is looking forward to building successful crews! |
