Currently in her 10th season at Cal, Sara Nevin has led the novice crew to the top of the Pac-10. In 2004, the Golden Bears' novice eight captured the Pac-10 crown for the first time since 1989. Cal's 2008 novice eight capped off an undefeated season with an open-water victory at the Pac-10 Championships. The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association acknowledged her ability and success by naming her the 2008 CRCA Assistant Coach of the Year as well as the 2008 CRCA West Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
Nevin has shown the ability to cultivate novice rowers into competitive oarswomen. Many of her rowers have moved up the ranks to contribute to the varsity's success. The class of 2005 was Nevin's first crew at Cal, and this group of seniors provided the leadership for the 2005 NCAA Championship team.
Nevin joined the Bears in 2002 after serving as the executive director and head coach at the Lake Lanier Rowing Club in Gainesville, Ga. During her five years in Georgia, Nevin coached all levels of rowers from beginners to U.S. national team members. In addition to her coaching, Nevin acted as the full-time boathouse and rowing club director, as well as Regatta Director for the NCAA Women's Rowing Championships in 1998 and 2001.
Before arriving at Lake Lanier, Nevin spent seven years coaching in Seattle, Wash. Between 1989-92, Nevin coached at the Seattle Training Center, coaching a group of elite and pre-elite rowers. Her stint culminated with all eight women earning spots on the 1992 Olympic team. From 1990-96, Nevin also coached the varsity boys rowing team at the Mount Baker Rowing Club. There, Nevin grew a program of 16 athletes to over 50 and won four USRowing Junior National Championships, including the school-boys' eight in 1991 and 1993.
Nevin earned a B.A. in political science with a minor in pre-medicine from the University of Washington in 1985. During her rowing career at UW, Nevin won three varsity eight national championships between 1983-85 and was undefeated in U.S. collegiate competition. She was a member of the U.S. national team in 1985 and '86.
