2025-2026 Coaching Staff
Head Coach | Noel Wanner
Middlebury Crew is proud to welcome back Noel Wanner as Head Coach of the men's and women's rowing teams. A seasoned leader with deep ties to the program, Coach Wanner previously lead Middlebury Crew for seven years before moving to Tufts University where he brought them to a new level of national prominence as the Director of Rowing. Most recently, he served as assistant coach for Dartmouth’s lightweight men. A former U.S. National Team lightweight rower, Wanner brings decades of experience and a passion for athlete development. His return marks an exciting new chapter for Middlebury rowing and a new opportunity to bring Middlebury Crew into a new competitive bracket as the program is moved into the athletics department.
Assistant Coach | Richard Connell
Connell graduated from Franklin Pierce College in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and computer science, and was a member and captain of the men’s varsity rowing team from 2004-2007. Upon graduation, he became the assistant rowing coach at Pierce from 2007-2009, earning his Master’s degree in Sports Management. Rich then went on to become the head coach of rowing at the Dublin School in southern New Hampshire from 2010-2015, leading the team to several state and national championships in that time. After a year coaching rowing at Vermont Academy (2016-2017), and prior to his current position at Middlebury College, he coached the Anchorage Rowing Association in Alaska (2017 and 2018).
Aside from coaching, Connell also rowed for the Merrimack River Rowing Association in Lowell from 2009-2015. During this time he competed at numerous national and international regattas such as the Head of the Charles, Elite National Championships, Canadian Henley, Club National Championships, and the Royal Henley Regatta. Personal accomplishments include taking 2nd at the Head of the Charles in the Club 4+ (2014 and 2015), 1st in the 4+ at 2014 Club Nationals, 1st in the 4- and 2- at 2012 Club Nationals, and 2nd in the 2- at 2011 Elite Nationals. Rich has taken up interest in extreme/Ironman distance triathlons as of late, but continues to remain active and compete in the rowing world in addition to being a full-time coach."
Assistant Coach | Jess Scriver
Jess was the captain of The University of Texas women's rowing team ('98) and a member of the lightweight 8 that won Champion International Collegiate Regatta in 98. She continued rowing and competing after college in a 1x and 2x and coached the girls crew team at Pomfret School in Connecticut for three years (99-02). She took a long hiatus from rowing while raising her three kids, trading in her Hudson 1x for a bike and a pair of running shoes. She started rowing again at Green Mountain Rowing in 2021 and has found herself back in the launch helping out with GMR's youth and masters programs in the summers and is excited to join the coaching team with Middlebury Crew this spring.
Jess loves being out on the water. She spent her childhood summers canoeing through the Canadian wilderness and later guided several 42 day, 1100 mile trips to Hudson Bay.
Assistant Coach | Stephen Kelley
Stephen discovered rowing while growing up on the banks of the Tennessee River as he watched the Lady Vols rowing program launch from their scenic boathouse. His introduction to rowing came during his time in the service and he still tries to find time to row and stay active. Stephen has been coaching and working in Higher Education for over a decade and currently holds a Level 2 US Rowing Certification. Prior to joining Middlebury, he enjoyed stops at both Iowa State and Virginia Tech. Stephen is excited about this year's team on the water and cannot wait to see what the future for Middlebury Crew holds.
Assistant Coach | Thomas Phifer
Thomas Phifer brings a wealth of rowing experience to his role as an assistant coach. A decorated athlete, Thomas has competed at the highest levels, including representing the United States at the 2022 World Rowing Championships. His rowing journey began in college, where he quickly developed a deep passion for the sport, inspired by his coach Noel Wanner. Over the years, Thomas has earned multiple national titles, including victories at the USRowing Summer National Championships and the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta. Beyond rowing, he holds a graduate degree in applied linguistics from Oxford University and enjoys language learning and hiking. As a coach, Thomas is dedicated to fostering technical excellence and a strong team culture, helping athletes reach their full potential on and off the water.
Assistant Coach | Leo Zhelnin
Leo developed a keen interest in rowing during his time at Princeton, sparked by his wife and later his son embarking on their rowing careers at Carnegie Lake Rowing and the Princeton National Rowing Association. Eager to support his family on regatta days, Leo decided to become an US Rowing referee, ensuring prime viewing from the water. Over a span of 7 years, he officiated at prestigious events such as the US Nationals and IRAs regattas.
Leo actively participated in Masters Summer programs at PNRA (Mercer), where he honed his sculling skills in small boats. His rowing adventures continued alongside his wife, Galina, at Lake Dunmore.
During his high school and Moscow University years, Leo was a member of a speed skating team, competing in both Nationals and regional championships. Transitioning to long-distance running, he completed numerous 5 and 10-mile races, including the Princeton half marathon three times and the Philadelphia marathon in 2019.
Upon relocating to Middlebury in 2021, Leo embraced a new role as an assistant coach for Middlebury's men's and women's crew teams. In the winter, he finds joy in teaching Nordic skiing at the Rikert Outdoor Center and downhill skiing at Middlebury Snow Bowl. Leo's diverse athletic journey reflects his passion for various sports and commitment to fostering a love for physical activity in others.
Assistant Coach | Elliott Munn
Elliott joined the team as an assistant coach in Spring 2021. Before ever laying hands on a racing oar, he fell in love with rowing as a high school senior after reading Stephen Kiesling's The Shell Game. Attracted to the sport by its beauty, camaraderie, and fierce competition, he joined the rowing team at Bowdoin College a few months later. He rowed for four years as a student, and he got his first taste of coaching as an intern at St. Paul's School Advanced Studies Program.
Elliott is also an avid skier and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. He lives near the college in Middlebury with his spouse Elizabeth and two daughters.