[GRPRow] Krystal Melendez begins as Assistant GRP Rowing Coach

The Craftsbury Outdoor Center is excited to welcome Krystal Melendez to her new role as Assistant GRP coach.

"I am thrilled to work alongside head coach Steve Whelpley in an atmosphere that prioritizes being a conscientious citizen and athlete development. To my knowledge, there is no program with the values and support that Craftsbury Outdoor Center offers,” writes Krystal. “I am honored and can't wait to see where we continue to grow."

"Having Krystal onboard is an immediate boost for the program,” explained coach Whelpley. “She brings solid experience and a great perspective to a growing team. Her familiarity with the Center allows her to jump right into things and allows us to provide a higher level of service and experience to both the GRP and its community."

Melendez has a long history with Craftsbury and Craftsbury adjacent athletes and coaches. She began rowing at Middlebury College under Craftsbury Associate Director Noel Wanner and later Sculling Director Troy Howell, acting as captain her senior year. Her first sculling experience came at a Craftsbury summer camp during her sophomore year of college. She credits Associate Director Ric Ricci to sparking her passion for sculling that summer. She made several U23 camps, contesting trials and speed orders, eventually continuing her training at GMS' high performance center in Connecticut after graduation.

She started her move from the boat to the launch in Philadelphia with Conestoga Crew Club, a juniors sculling program on boathouse row. Following coaching in Philadelphia, she joined the Dartmouth staff of one-time GRP coach Dan Roock, before being hired at Princeton as an assistant. At Princeton, she assisted head coach Lori Dauphiny in continuing that program’s prominence, acting as recruiting coordinator.

In addition to her rowing acumen and coaching credentials, she's also recently been certified as a massage therapist, bringing an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology to her approach.

Krystal joins the team as they wrap up a winter of training before their spring training trip at the end of February, ahead of USRowing Trials this March.

We hope you'll join us in welcoming Krystal to the Center and Craftsbury community!