VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova Rowing head coach Carissa Adams has announced the addition of Kristen Waters and Olivia Guarnaccia to her coaching staff.
 
Both Waters and Guarnaccia bring collegiate rowing experience to their new positions on the Main Line, rowing at Alabama and Louisville, respectively.
 
Waters spent the last three years as an assistant coach at La Salle where she directed the recruiting efforts for the program. She helped lead the Explorers to multiple record-breaking results in each of those seasons. While there, she also spent a great deal of time working with the novice athletes on the team, coaching the Freshman/Novice 8+ boat to a silver medal at the 2026 Dad Vail Championship.
 
"We are incredibly excited to welcome Kristen Waters to Villanova Rowing. Her addition strengthens an already dynamic staff and will aid in the program's quest to up-level," Adams said. "From the beginning of our interview process, we knew Kristen was an ideal fit for our team. Her experience as a collegiate student-athlete and coach combined with her master's degree in exercise physiology will bring valuable knowledge and perspective to our established staff and help keep the vision and continued growth of our program onPACE."
 
Waters graduated from the University of Alabama in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. She rowed for the Crimson Tide for four years, serving as the team captain from 2010-2012. She was named the Most Improved Varsity Athlete in 2010 and was a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll all four years. In 2014, she earned her Master of Science in Integrated Exercise Physiology from Temple University.
 
"I am thrilled to join this team at Villanova, that embodies athletic and academic success." Waters said.  "I'm honored to be a part of an established and productive staff, and I am eager to meet the athletes and get to work."
 
Guarnaccia wrapped up her collegiate rowing career in the spring of 2026 at the University of Louisville where she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration. She was a four-year coxswain for the Cardinals and served as a captain of the program in her senior season. She earned ACC All-Academic Team honors all four years and was a three-time CRCA National Scholar Athlete.

"As a recent college graduate, Olivia brings a fresh perspective and a strong understanding of today's student-athlete experience," Adams said. "Her energy, relatability, and enthusiasm for coaching will make her a great resource for our athletes and a valuable addition to our staff as she continues to grow in the profession."

The Philadelphia native rowed for Gwynedd Mercy Academy prior to Louisville, helping establish the high school's first rowing team during her freshman season in 2018.

"I'm excited to join the Villanova Women's Rowing program while continuing my education through Villanova's MBA program. I hope to contribute an energy and excitement for rowing that leaves a lasting impact on the team as coaches did for me at Louisville," Guarnaccia said. "I love how Villanova's community is very similar to the sport of rowing. It's tight knit and has a lot of passion and dedication. I'm looking forward to working with all of these girls and helping with whatever I can to continue the progress they have been making."
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