Nicole Ritchie
Born in Putney, VT, Nicole began rowing in small boats for the Putney School. She stuck with rowing for its incessant challenges and connection to the outdoors, and rowed for Bates College for four years. She was a proud member of the building team’s first-ever appearance at the Division III NCAA Championship in 2007, became captain and three-time Division III All-American by her senior year, and helped the team finish 2nd as a boat and in their team standings by its third trip to the NCAA’s in 2009. After an inspiring semester studying abroad at the University of Cape Town her junior year, Nicole graduated from Bates with a degree in Environmental Chemistry in 2009. She moved to Philadelphia the summer of 2009 and currently rows for Vesper Boat Club’s elite program.
Nicole is honored to be a coach for PCR. She’s inspired by the students and her fellow coaches, and believes that rowing can create confidence and collaboration in students (as the sport did for her). She also believes more inclusion will make rowing a better sport in Philadelphia.
Elle Carolan
Elle went to the College of the Holy Cross as one of the top recruits for the Women’s Distance Running Program; however, due to on-going injuries she stopped competing during her freshman year. Having been a competitive racer since 5th grade, she quickly learned that she needed that spark back in her life. During the winter of her sophomore year, some fellow classmates encouraged Elle to try coxing for the men’s crew team since she was smart, light, and ruthlessly competitive. Elle coxed both the lightweight and heavyweight men’s varsity 8s, which were both ranked in the top 20 nationally. While on the team, Elle was inspired by her coach, Tom Sullivan, who truly embodied the values-based learning that Holy Cross offered through teaching the values of teamwork, the importance of a solid education, to always give back to the community and, most importantly, to “go see Jesus” during the final 250m.
Upon graduation, Elle coxed for the Vesper Elite Program for 2 years before deciding to focus on her career and to be more involved in the Philadelphia Community. When Libby came to Elle about the idea of starting PCR in the Spring 2010, Elle was excited about creating a mentoring program, and offered to help build the program in conjunction with PCR. Elle believes that any teenager can truly benefit from an older friend or mentor. Elle credits her high school coach and mentor, Darrin Krug, along with her college coaches Tom Sullivan and David “Floyd” Ploss, with helping Elle discover herself but also, to being great friends, supporters and advisers throughout her life.
Elle believes the sport of rowing not only creates mental and physical toughness, but it also helps you learn respect for yourself and others, how to balance priorities, and to learn new values and create strong friendships.
Terry Dougherty
Terry has her Masters degree in Counselor Education and her undergraduate degree in Psychology. She comes to PCR with a long history of working in education and recreation within the city of Philadelphia. She has worked at the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and the University of the Sciences. In addition, she served as the Executive Director at the North Penn YMCA and most recently, the Senior Director of Student Activities and Summer Camp at Valley Forge Military Academy.
Terry has always been actively involved in athletics. In high school, she was All Catholic in Field Hockey at Bishop Conwell and threw shot put and disc on the track team. In college, she was a goalie at Bloomsburg University where she was a member of the National Championship Division II Field Hockey Team as well as a captain and starting goalie for the Women’s Lacrosse Team.
Ryan Rickus
Ryan joins PCR as an assistant coach after volunteering with the Learn to Row Program in the summer of 2011. He is currently a student at Temple University where he is majoring in Kinesiology. Ryan also works with the Pennsylvania Adapted Sports Program.
Steve Ciraolo
Ciraolo, a Philadelphia native, is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep in North Philadelphia. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Cornell and received a Master’s Degree in Classical Studies from Villanova University. For the past 14 years, Ciraolo taught classical studies and mathematics at Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts, while serving as the coach of both the debate and rowing teams. His coaching experience extends from novice through varsity level crews, both girls and boys, and he led Tabor crews to the Head of the Charles, Henley Royal Regatta, and Henley Women's Regatta. Appointed Tabor crew program director in 2007, Ciraolo managed seven coaches and approximately 80 athletes.
Zach Mondesire
Coach Mondesire, a graduate of Columbia University and Episcopal Academy, has coached with New York Rowing Association as well as Philadelphia Breaking Barriers Program. Zach has experience implementing training programs for high school student-athletes. He is currently pursuing his doctorate degree at the University of Pennsylvania.