NEWPORT SEA BASE COACHING STAFF
Our Newport Sea Base Rowing coaches are SafeSport certified and are U.S. Rowing certified coaches.
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I have built my career in the sport of rowing, excelling as an elite athlete and coach. In 2009, I was part of the Senior USA National Team and U23 USA National Team, and I earned a silver medal in the 4-. I was an IRA National Champion, Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year, and winner of high-profile events such as the San Diego Crew Classic and Head of the Charles while I was at UC Berkeley (2008-2010). I was part of Orange Coast College (2007-2008), where I was team captain and was awarded the Oarsman of the Year.
As a successful coach, I have led several crews to Youth, Junior, and U23 World Championships. I currently serve as Newport Sea Base Rowing's Men’s Head Coach (2014-2017; 2018-Present), having led seven crews to Youth Nationals and developed athletes racing abroad. I have held several different coaching jobs in my past, including for the US National Team, Orange Coast College, Newport Aquatic Center, USC, and Marin Rowing Association, where I produced several national champions.
I graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Field Studies: Technology and Society.
James Long-Lerno
Executive Director & Head U19 Men's Coach

With decades of experience as both a competitor and coach, Peter Vescovi brings a deep passion for rowing to Newport Sea Base. A former Senior USA National Team member, he competed in the 1996 Olympic Trials in the pair and rowed for CSU Long Beach and Orange Coast College, beginning his journey with Long Beach Juniors and the Junior National Team.
As a coach, Peter has led crews to success at every level. Since joining Newport Sea Base Rowing in 2020, he has guided multiple boats to Masters Nationals podium finishes. Previously, as Head Coach at UC Irvine (2014-2020), he was named 2018 ACRA West-Region Women's Head Coach of the Year, and his crews secured multiple national and regional titles. His coaching career also includes roles at CSU Long Beach, USC, and Long Beach Juniors, where he developed three national championship crews.
Peter holds a B.A. in English from California State University, Long Beach.
Peter Vescovi
Rowing Equipment & Facility Manager
Head Junior Women's Coach

Under Constrution
Sebastian Hasselquist
U17 Men's Assistant Coach

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Robert Cunard
Assistant Youth Recreational Coach

With experience as both an elite rower and coach, I have dedicated my career to the sport of rowing. As an athlete, I competed with the Senior USA National Team and the U23 USA National Team (2009), earning a silver medal in the 4-. During my time at UC Berkeley (2008-2010), I was an IRA National Champion, named Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year, and won major regattas like the San Diego Crew Classic and Head of the Charles. Prior to that, I rowed for Orange Coast College (2007-2008), serving as team captain and earning Oarsman of the Year honors.
As a coach, I have guided multiple crews to success at the Youth, Junior, and U23 World Championships. Currently, I serve as Men’s Head Coach at Newport Sea Base Rowing (2014-2017; 2018-Present), where I’ve led seven crews to Youth Nationals and developed athletes competing at the international level. My coaching experience includes roles with the US National Team, Orange Coast College, Newport Aquatic Center, USC, and Marin Rowing Association, where I’ve helped produce multiple national champions.
I hold a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Field Studies: Technology and Society from UC Berkeley.
Miles Crook
Assistant U19 Men's Coach

I bring many years of experience to Newport Sea Base Rowing, having competed and coached. I was previously captain and president of UC Irvine Rowing (2012-2016), and I led my team to a championship in the Varsity 4+ in the 2016 ACRA Nationals.
Since 2018, I have played a valuable role in developing young rowers at Newport Sea Base Rowing. Under my guidance, crews have consistently competed in Youth and Masters National Championships, earning numerous top finishes in Southwest Regionals and Youth Nationals. Previously, in my role as Novice Coach for UC Irvine Women’s Rowing (2016-2020), I was honored as the 2018 ACRA National Women's Assistant Coach of the Year, coaching multiple crews to national and regional championships.
I received my B.A. in Educational Sciences and History from UC Irvine and my Master of Science in Educational Counseling from the University of La Verne, specializing in school and family counseling.
Lacey Shelton
Rowing Director & Head U17 Men's Coach

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Ella Poljak
Lead Master's Coach

Under Construction
Haley Alexander
Assistant Junior Women's Coach

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Robert Koop
Assistant Masters Coach

With experience as both an elite rower and coach, I have dedicated my career to the sport of rowing. As an athlete, I competed with the Senior USA National Team and the U23 USA National Team (2009), earning a silver medal in the 4-. During my time at UC Berkeley (2008-2010), I was an IRA National Champion, named Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year, and won major regattas like the San Diego Crew Classic and Head of the Charles. Prior to that, I rowed for Orange Coast College (2007-2008), serving as team captain and earning Oarsman of the Year honors.
As a coach, I have guided multiple crews to success at the Youth, Junior, and U23 World Championships. Currently, I serve as Men’s Head Coach at Newport Sea Base Rowing (2014-2017; 2018-Present), where I’ve led seven crews to Youth Nationals and developed athletes competing at the international level. My coaching experience includes roles with the US National Team, Orange Coast College, Newport Aquatic Center, USC, and Marin Rowing Association, where I’ve helped produce multiple national champions.
I hold a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Field Studies: Technology and Society from UC Berkeley.
Abby Harris
Social Media Manager & Assistant Masters Coach

My experience in rowing spans both competition and coaching. I began rowing at Casitas Rowing (2012-2016) before joining Orange Coast College (OCC) Rowing (2016-2018), where I won a silver medal in the 2nd Novice 8+. I then rowed for UCLA (2019-2020), continuing to refine my skills at the collegiate level.
I transitioned into coaching, serving as Head U17 Men's Coach at Casitas Rowing (2020-2022), then moving to OCC Rowing (2022-2024). I now coach at Newport Sea Base Rowing (2023-Present), where my crews have achieved national success, including a 1st-place finish at Regionals and a 5th-place finish at Youth Nationals in the U16 4x+.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in History from UCLA, blending my passion for rowing and education to help develop future athletes
Noah Greenslit
Assistant Rowing Director & Lead U19 Men's Assistant Coach

Newport Sea Base Rowing (2015-2018)
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2017 Head of the American – 1st place, Lightweight 8+ & Varsity 4x
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2018 Southwest Regionals – 4th place, Lightweight 2x
Long Beach Junior Crew (2018-2019)
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2018 LBRA Christmas Regatta – 1st place, Varsity 8+ & Mixed 4x
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2019 Long Beach Invitational – 1st place, Varsity 8+, Varsity 4x & Lightweight 2x
Newport Sea Base Rowing Masters (2022-Present)
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2022 Head of the American – 1st place, Masters Men’s 4x & Mixed 4x
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2023 Masters Southwest Regionals – 1st place, Lightweight 1x & Mixed 2x
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2023 Head of the American – 1st place, Masters Men’s 4x & Mixed 4x
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2023 LBRA Christmas Regatta – 1st place, Masters Mixed 4x; 2nd place, Men’s Open 2x
Coaching Background
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Newport Sea Base Rowing
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Assistant Men's Coach (2022-Present)
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Head Middle School Competitive Coach (2024-Present)
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Education
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Orange Coast College (2019-2023) – A.A. in Kinesiology: Exercise Science
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California State University, Long Beach (2024-Present) – B.A. in Kinesiology: Exercise Science
Joey Royak
Lead Competitive Middle School Coach

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Evan Norsoph
Lead Youth Recreational Coach

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Jordy Backer
Assistant Masters Coach