Success is built on
experience.
Our coaches boast decades of experience and are open to the input of visiting coaches- mixing tried and true methods with up and coming new ideas.
Jon Lothian
Head Coach
LEVEL 2 US Rowing Certified
Mobjack Rowing/Mathews High School Crew
Coach Jon Lothian, a former Mobjack rower, has returned to his roots coaching at Williams Wharf. After coaching assignments with Space Coast Crew and Melbourne High School Crew, Lothian has taken the position of Head Coach with the Mathews High School Crew and Mobjack Rowing Association.
Advisory Position-
Level 2 US Rowing Certified
James began her rowing career with the Mathews High School Crew team in the 8th grade rowing in various sweep boats and sculling. She then went on to become a full time rower rowing for MHS and Mobjack Rowing. After graduating from high school, she went on to row for George Mason University before returning to Mathews to pursue other opportunities. Her background in sculling and sweeping helps her to find the right fit for our novice rowers.
Not only is James one of our younger coaches, she is also a certified EMT. Mobjack is fortunate to have a her as a part of their coaching staff. Not only does Coach James's expertise as a younger rowing coach help build a well rounded team, but her certifications ensure the safety of Mobjack rowers on and off of the water.
James serves in an advisory role as needed for the 2023 - 2024 season.
Katelyn James
Christina Pope Tomcany
Web and Social Media Manager
Level 2 US Rowing Certified
Tomcany began her rowing career with the Mathews High School crew team, finding her stride sculling and winning at NCSRA (now VASRA) state championships as well as a Silver at SRAA Nationals in 1997 in the quad. After graduating from high school, she went on to Longwood College earning degrees in History and Anthropology and then later onto Old Dominon University for Teacher Licensure. Before returning to Mathews, Tomcany lived in Chesapeake and coached various mens and women's varisty boats for the Great Bridge High School Crew. Tomcany was an assistant coach in charge of novices and winter erg conditioning for Mathews High School and Mobjack Rowing for 15 years.
At this time, Tomcany handles website and social media for the team.
Tim Ulsaker
Advisor to the Head Coach
Level 3 US Rowing Certified
Mobjack Rowing
Coach Ulsaker has remained steadfast as MRA and MHS Crew's only head coach for over 30 years. Crews rowing for Ulsaker have earned state, national, and international titles at the The Royal Candadian Henley Regatta, The Philadelphia Independence Day Regatta, Canadian Schoolboy Nationals, the Stotesbury Cup Regatta, and Scholastic Rowing Nationals. Ulsaker has also coached rowers who have gone on to compete for the United States National Team as well as compete at the Olympics for Team USA.
Ulsaker, who has also been recognized as a Corporation for Public Broadcasting "American Graduate Champion", has used his leadership and expertise to provide a path towards higher education for the youth of our community. Former rowers have earned scholarships at universities and colleges including, but not limited to, Alabama, Duke, Bucknell, University of Tulsa, Northeastern, University of West Virginia, Clemson, La Salle University, and Florida Institute of Technology. He also took part in coaching the Olympic Development Camp in Jacksonville, Florida during the summer of 2021. Ulsaker was inducted into the Mathews High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
At this time Ulsaker is transitioning from his position of Head Coach to make way for a younger generation of Mobjack Coaches and serves in an advisory role.
Vernon Rowe
Advisory Coach
Coach Rowe began his rowing career as a coxswain in one of Coach Ulsaker's very first eights. Rowe also competed with Mobjack Rowing earning a winning finish at the Royal Canadian Henley in the Lightweight Dash event. He has been an indispensable part of the team for more than 20 years. Mr. Rowe hails from a long line of watermen. His deep love for and experience with the water, his community, and rowing has helped create a partnership with Coach Ulsaker that has guided and given a firm foundation in the development of college and national rowing level athletes.
Rowe will be serving in an advisory role as needed during the 2023 - 2024 season.