Hannah Ondak is entering her first season as an assistant coach with the Cornell women's rowing program after being hired in August 2026.
Ondak arrives at Cornell following a two-year tenure as a graduate assistant coach at Smith College, a Division III program based in Northampton, Mass. In that role, she helped develop the program's talent and speed, coaching the Bears' 3V8+ and 4V8+ crews while also managing the team's social media presence. Ondak earned her master's degree in exercise and sport science in May 2026 while coaching at Smith.
A 2024 graduate of Boston University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in public relations, Ondak spent two years as an undergraduate coach for the Terriers' women's rowing team, primarily managing and developing the novice program. She was responsible for running tryouts and selecting the 15 athletes who joined the team each year.
Along with her coaching experience at the collegiate level, Ondak served as a program leader for Sparks Rowing Camps in the summer of 2025, managing a group of high school athletes throughout their week at camp. Ondak interned with USRowing following her freshman year at Boston University, supporting the U.S. Junior National Team and assisting a group of 65 under-19 athletes as they trained for international competition. She also coached at Boston University Academy, working with high school students new to the sport of rowing.
