SPOKANE, Wash. – Women's rowing head coach Andrew Derrick has announced three new additions to his coaching staff, Eric Snyder, Mary Anderson, and Megan Chalfant. Snyder and Anderson will serve as assistant coaches while Chalfant is named a graduate assistant for the Bulldogs.

Eric Snyder – Assistant Coach
Snyder is coming off three years at LMU, where he was promoted and served as the Associate Head Coach for the 2021-22 academic year. He was an assistant coach for the Lions for two years prior to being elevated. At LMU, Snyder worked with all aspects of the program but was notably responsible for coaching the 2V8 boat that finished second, only behind the Zags, at the 2022 WCC Championships. It was the highest finish for any LMU boat at the conference championships.

"I am thrilled to again get to work with and welcome Eric back to the Pacific Northwest as a Zag," Derrick said. "We really enjoyed working together previously, and that familiarity is going to help us hit the ground running this season. His strengths are exactly what our staff and our team need as we set our sights on a WCC Championship and continuing to take steps forward at the NCAA Championships."

Prior to LMU, Snyder worked with head coach Andrew Derrick at Seattle Pacific University where the two excelled together. The Falcons had their first NCAA bid in nearly a decade resulting in a Grand Final finish in 2019.  During the campaign, coach Snyder managed the Varsity Four that finished fourth nationally.

Prior to Seattle Pacific, Snyder found success at Lakeside School in Seattle, Wash., as well as Satellite High School and Florida Institute of Technology, during his time in Florida. 

Mary Anderson – Assistant Coach
Anderson joins the Zags from Oklahoma City where she coached multiple teams for OKC Riversport including the U-17s, junior women's novice, as well as gained experience through the Corporate and Youth rowing leagues. Anderson also brings a strong strength and conditioning background, having majored in Health and Exercise Science as a student-athlete at the University of Oklahoma and now works as an ACE certified fitness instructor in addition to her coaching duties. 
 
"I am incredibly excited to get Mary here," Derrick said. "Mary and I share a lot of background together in that we have been to a lot of the same places, but at different times. Because of our shared background, we know a lot of the same people who I know to be great coaches and judges of character who all testify to Mary's character, work ethic, and her ability to contribute to our program. While I have watched Mary's athletic success for much of the last decade, it was through the interview process that she really shined. Her energy and excitement for our sport and at this opportunity was instantly apparent and I know our student athletes are going to respond and relate well to her. I can't wait to get coach Anderson on campus and in some Zag Swag!"
               
Prior to coaching, Anderson was a standout student athlete at both the Collegiate D-I and high school level.  As a Sooner, she spent time in each of the NCAA boats, which included stroking the 1V8 that took second at the Big XVII Championships. Anderson also contributed to Sooner boats winning the San Diego Crew Classic, Big 12 Double Dual Races, and the Stone Family Cup Annual Dual vs Tulsa. Individually, she was honored with being on the Big 12 All-academic Team as well as the Dean's list
               
Before arriving in Norman, Anderson rowed for junior powerhouse OKC Riversport during the program's best run which included top five finishes in the women's Varsity 8 at both the prestigious Head of the Charles and the US Rowing Youth National Championships. 
 
Megan Chalfant – Graduate Assistant
Chalfant competed for the Zags last season as a graduate transfer from Seattle Pacific University. Chalfant was a student-athlete under coach Derrick as well before arriving to GU. After her impressive season, she was named a CRCA Scholar-Athlete, All-WCC First Team, WCC Co-Athlete of the Year and an All-American Honorable Mention.
 
"I am really excited to get to work with Megan in a different capacity," Derrick said. "Megan is one of the most hardworking and athletically intelligent athletes I have coached, and I know she is going to bring that same mentality to our staff.  She is going to be a true asset to our team."
 
She rowed GU's 1V8 the entire season and was a key role in GU's success throughout the season. At the PLU Invitational, Chalfant rowed the Varsity 8 team in back-to-back first place finishes and also had success at the San Diego Crew Classic where the Varsity 8 boat finished second both days. Chalfant was part of the crew that swept the WCC Championships and went on to compete at the NCAA Championships. At the NCAAs, the 1V8 boat placed 18th in the nation.