Will Russell is from Tomahawk, Wisconsin. He came to Madison to pursue a degree in biology with a global health minor.

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While at UW-Madison, Will walked onto the men's crew team and participated as an athlete for all four years. He ended his career as a college rower stroking the 3V at the IRA National Championships both junior and senior years. ​

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To keep his fitness and competitive edge, he now train for triathlons, hoping to one day work my way up to completing an Ironman. He's been in athletics and on teams throughout his entire life and he is excited to pass on the knowledge he has to the next generation of rowers. 

Bio coming soon! 

Bio coming soon! 

Bio coming soon! 

Originally from Northern Virginia, I’ve called Madison home since 2010, working as an educator and advocate for inclusion in special education.

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My rowing journey didn’t start with my own oars; it started by watching my daughter find the sport in 6th grade. Rowing completely changed her life, giving her a sense of belonging and a level of confidence I hadn't seen in her before. To better understand her passion, I joined several adult rowing seasons myself. Now, as my daughter wraps up her high school career with the Muskrats, we’re training to compete together in the 2027 Chicago Sprints!

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After years of cheering from the docks and serving as the CRRC recruiting chair, I’m trading my "Muskrat Mom" hat for a coaching whistle.

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My Coaching Philosophy: Middle school is a wild ride, and I believe the water is the best place to navigate it. 

I care just as much about who our athletes are becoming as people as I do about their rowing technique. My goal is to build a community where:

• Teamwork is the heartbeat: We move together, or we don’t move at all.

• Confidence is built: There’s nothing like realizing you’re stronger than you thought.

• A Seat in the Boat for Everyone: I am a firm believer in US Rowing’s United We Row vision. I am committed to making sure every athlete feels valued as a unique individual and to breaking down traditional barriers to the sport.

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Rowing is truly a sport for all, and I can’t wait to help our middle schoolers find their place in the boat. See you on the water!

Austin has been rowing since 2012, beginning as a junior with the Duluth Rowing Club, where he served as team captain during his junior and senior years. During his junior year, he competed at the 2013 Head of the Charles Regatta. He later rowed with the Minneapolis Rowing Club’s U30 program, helping secure the prestigious Lipton Cup at the 2023 NWIRA Regatta.

In high school, Austin was also a competitive Nordic skier and pole vaulter, later going on to pole vault collegiately at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. He spent two years at Hamline before studying abroad in Tokyo, and ultimately completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota Duluth, graduating in 2020 with a B.A. in Digital Media Arts, Marketing, and Communication.

Outside of rowing, Austin coaches with the Madison Nordic Ski Club during the winter. He currently works as a Project Manager at Badgerland Exteriors and is a licensed Realtor with First Weber. In his free time, Austin enjoys camping, hiking, biking, hammocking, and playing guitar, always seeking opportunities to be outdoors and active.

David began rowing at CRRC the summer after 6th grade. He spent the next six years as a teammate on many successful crews at Midwest Regionals, USRowing Youth

Nationals and The Head of the Charles. He also placed 3rd in the single at Midwest

Regionals to qualify for Youth Nationals his senior year.

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David is a sophomore at UW-Madison where he is very active in building the scenes, sound and lighting for the UW Theatre productions. He will complete the UW Pilates Certification program in December 2026, then continue to complete his degree. Outside

of school and coaching, he continues his strength training at Bakke Athletics.

David enjoys sharing his knowledge of rowing techniques and helping CRRC rowers achieve new personal bests in their training and success as a team.