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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks

Assistant Crew Coach

 LAUREN PENKALA – Assistant Coach
 
Coach Lauren Penkala grew up in Detroit, Michigan. Through high school, Penkala played all kinds of sports, including field hockey, lacrosse, swimming and rugby. Never having rowed before, she began crew as a freshman at Carroll in the fall of 2009. Taking an immediate interest in the sport, Penkala gained responsibility and leadership within her first year. From novice rower to captain, president and assistant coach, Penkala enjoyed the sport a little bit more everyday spent on the river.

Penkala graduated from JCU with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and is currently a Program Administrator at Catholic Charities Migration & Refugee Services. Graduating a second time from JCU in the summer of 2016 with a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Administration, Penkala continues to apply her experience and education to the team. 

After four years as the head coach of the men’s and women’s club rowing team, Penkala is once again serving the team as an assistant coach. She will work with the new head coach (James LaMar) and assistant coach (Lauren Synek), both recent graduates of the Class of 2017, as they move into their new roles. A personal goal of Coach Penkala is that every individual athlete becomes the best leader possible in the four short years each person has on the team.

Contact information: lpenkala13@jcu.edu
 

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