Coach Petrova graduated in 2022 from the University of Portland with a degree in biology and is excited to return to The Bluff as a member of the coaching staff. Petrova rowed with the first varsity eight for all four years at UP and was a member of the Pilots’ WCC Crew of the Month in 2019.
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Petrova began her rowing journey at the age of 12 at Oregon Rowing Unlimited, where she also coached novices and summer camps for five years. Petrova comes from a family of rowers, and both her parents currently coach and run a junior rowing club. She hopes to incorporate her experience as a student-athlete into her coaching.
Petrova interned at the 2023 USRowing U19 Selection Camp, where the junior national team was selected and trained for the World Championships. She gained valuable experience working with the Team USA coaches and coached the alternate pair.
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Petrova believes that once you become a rower, you will always be a rower because of the values and skills you develop. She knows that there is always more to learn and improve on in rowing no matter how long a person is involved in the sport. Desi is motivated by the idea that she should always strive for more whether that is in her career as an athlete or as a coach.
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