Eleanor McElvaine
Rowing

Eleanor is a 1984 Cascade High graduate. There, she was a multi-sport athlete and as a senior, was named senior class Most Athletic Woman. She then attended the University of Washington (UW) and rowed on crew during 1982-85. She rowed in 6-seat on varsity 8 and helped the crew win gold medals in the nationals in three consecutive years, 1983-85. All three of these crews have been inducted into the Husky Athletic HOF. In 1984, she was named Everett Herald Female of the Year in Sports. After UW, she competed in the 1988 Olympic Trials and just missed qualifying but she did place second in the semi-finals.

Eleanor began coaching rowing in 1986. Noteworthy coaching accomplishments and highlights include:

· 1986-1990: Head rowing coach at Mt. Baker Rowing & Sailing Center (junior women’s 8 teams won 3 regional titles).

· 1991-2003: UW women’s novice coach (freshman won 9 PAC-10 Championships). Eleanor, named 2003 National Assistant Coach of the Year).

· 1994: Eleanor and UW head coach, Jan Harville, honored by U.S. Rowing as Woman of the Year Award.

· 2000: Head coach of U.S. Junior National Team. Led 4 oared crew to gold medal at Jr. World Championships.

· 2003: Hired as UW head crew coach through 2007 – 7th place NCAA team finish and 3rd third-place in PAC-10.

· 2004: Head coach of gold medal U.S. women’s 4 at U-23 World Championships in Amsterdam.

After the head coaching job at UW, Eleanor eventually returned to coaching at Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center. She coaches a nationally competitive women’s master team (ages 27-76) and continues to inspire athletes new to rowing, primarily 8th and 9th graders in the novice junior program.