ITHACA, N.Y. – Todd Kennett '91, the Spirit of '57 Director of Rowing/Head Coach of Heavyweight Rowing, has announced that David Burke has been promoted to the Big Red's first assistant position, while US national team member and Olympian Alex Karwoski '12 has been named an assistant coach.

"David has been the second assistant for the past three years and in that time has helped to coach many Cornell boats to successful seasons with great results at big regattas," said Kennett. "His work with recruiting has been excellent as he has become a known face at high school regattas. His time spent on the inlet has allowed him to become more than just a good coach, but instead a great coach for Cornell through his knowledge of the water and Cornell life and traditions. His influence is helping to continue the great experience of Cornell Rowing here at Cornell and I am very excited to have him as a first assistant."

Burke joined the Cornell men's heavyweight rowing staff prior to the 2013-14 season. A year ago, he helped the Big Red to a 5-3 record overall. Cornell sent four of five boats into the Grand Finals of the 2016 Eastern Sprints and earned one medal, as the fourth varsity eight took home the bronze. At the 2016 IRA National Championship, helped both the second varsity eight and third varsity eight to a second place finish in the Petite Finals, good for eighth overall, while the varsity four took fourth in the Petite Final to finish 10th overall.

"Alex was fun to coach as a rower, and I expect his attitude will be exactly that for the team this year – making work a lot of fun!" said Kennett. "Alex brings three years of national team experience and the Olympics to our staff and team.  His own character is what makes him a great part of our staff, but coupled with his knowledge of rowing it will help make a better athlete experience at Cornell. We patiently await his arrival home from the Rio Olympics."

Karwoski, fresh off a fourth place finish with the United States men's eight at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has spent the last four years training with the US national team with strong showings at numerous World Championships and World Rowing Cups.  In 2016 he won bronze in the men's eight at the World Rowing Cup II.

A 2012 graduate of Cornell, Karwoski majored in Civil and Environmental Engineering.  While rowing for the Big Red, he was a two year member of the varsity eight, and finished with a silver medal at the Eastern Sprints in the second varsity eight his sophomore season. Karwoski also was the recipient of the "Big Stick" award in 2012 as well as a two time member of the Friedman Strength and Conditioning "Wall of Strength" honor.