Jacksonville University Men's Rowing

2024-25 Varsity 4+ crew finished ninth at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships, the best finish in program history … Led 3rd Varsity 8+ to a Grand Final finish at the Dad Vail Regatta … Led the Varsity Pair to a Grand Final finish at the Dad Vail Regatta … Part of Staff nominated for IRCA Division 1 Staff of the Year 2023-24 1st and 2nd Varsity 8+ crews qualified for the IRA National Championships … First Varsity 8+ placed 24th at IRA Nationals, Second Varsity 8+ finished 22nd … Her Second Varsity 8+ placed third at SIRA, fifth at Dad Vail 2022-23 Began coaching in February 2023. Varsity 4+ crew improved two spots to a 10th place finish at the IRA National Championships, a program-best finish … Second Varsity 8+ placed seventh at Dad Vail … Second Varsity 4+ placed second at Dad Vail … PRIOR TO JACKSONVILLE Jacksonville men's rowing head coach Preston Weinard announced the hiring of JU rowing alum Allison Sobiech as assistant coach for the team in the spring of 2023   "Sometimes, the stars align at the right time," exclaimed men's rowing head coach Preston Weinard on Sobiech's hiring. "I am very excited to welcome Allison back to JU as the assistant coach for our program. She is a very qualified coach with a great love of our sport and the knowledge to bring programs to new heights. She and I go way back as teammates at JU. So, it's exciting to have another Dolphin on staff who understands where JU has been, and how to get JU Men's Rowing somewhere we have never been." Sobiech joins the Dolphins after a near three-year stint as the Head Coach/Varsity Women's Coach at Olentangy Rowing Club in Olentangy Ohio. With Olentangy, she was in charge of all rowing and coaching operations for 60 athletes and a staff of four coaches. She was the direct coach of the Varsity Women's squad, led recruitment efforts and hired/managed the coaching staff.   Outside of Olentangy, Sobiech was the Head Coach/Varsity Women's Coach for three years at Westerville Rowing Club in Westerville, Ohio. Prior to Westerville, she was an Assistant Rowing Coach at Grand Valley State University for three seasons. Allison was responsible for coaching varsity women and boatman duties as well as coaching novice women.   "I am very excited to back with the school and team that gave me so much during my collegiate years," said Sobiech. "It feels like a great time to be back. The team is growing and getting faster under Preston's leadership and the guys on the team seem hungry for more. I'm looking forward to great spring season!"   As a member of the JU women's rowing team, she rowed all four years and was a team captain in 2011-2012. 

Parks joined the men's rowing program as a graduate assistant in 2025. Parks rowed for the Dolphins from 2021-25. "I am excited to welcome Hugo Parks back to JU Men's Rowing as our new Graduate Assistant Coach. Hugo has been a very dedicated JU rower, and represented the team very well as a student-athlete," head coach Preston Weinard said. "I'm looking forward to seeing Hugo bring his skills, enthusiasm and work ethic back to our squad in a new role." Parks was a key part of the rowing program the last four years. In his senior season, he was a regular feature in the second varsity 8+ crew. He raced in multiple big events this past year, including at the Dad Vail Regatta.  In addition to his college rowing experience, he's competed in and won multiple championships in his native Peru. He graduated from Jacksonville with a degree in Sports Business. Parks will stay at JU now in a staff role as he helps the program after a successful 2025 competition season. The Dolphins made program history a year ago when they placed ninth in the 4+ at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association national championships. Jacksonville also had two rowers, Ole Gruenert and John Even Loftesnes, named IRCA All-Americans this past season.