Rochester Olympian Named New Texas Longhorns Rowing Coach

We first introduced you to Fairhaven native Gia Doonan last summer when we announced that she had landed a spot on Team USA's women's rowing team and would compete in the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Doonan, who attended Rogers Elementary School, spent her freshman year at Fairhaven High before transferring and graduating from Tabor Academy, where she made the life-changing decision to join the crew team. Her parents now have a home in Rochester.

After volunteering as a coach last season, Noonan has accepted a coaching position at her college alma mater, the University of Texas. She will assume assistant coaching responsibilities under Longhorns head coach Dave O'Neill.

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"I'm really excited to be back at Texas and coaching for my alma mater," Doonan said in a university news release. "It means a lot to me and I hope I can keep adding to the boat speed in any way. Hook 'Em!"

Photo used courtesy of Liz Kreutz

The Tabor grad was a four-year varsity starter with the Texas Longhorns rowing team and is currently a member of the U.S. rowing senior national team. Doonan and Team USA placed fourth at the Tokyo Olympic Games last summer.

The morning after her fourth-place finish in the gold medal round in Tokyo, in an interview from her apartment at the Olympic Village, Doonan told Michael and Maddie that she wanted to take one more crack at gold in 2024.

This position with the Longhorns will allow her to train while helping out the university's rowing team.

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Filed Under: Fairhaven, Gia Doonan, Olympic Games, Rochester, texas

Categories: Sports