BERKELEY – The California women's rowing program added to its coaching staff with the hirings of assistant coaches Kendall Brewer and Peter Mansfeld, head coach Al Acosta announced Tuesday.
 
Kendall most recently served as an assistant coach at Dartmouth from 2023-25, where she helped last season's team to its best season ever with a 16th place finish at the NCAA Championships. Prior to that, she served as varsity assistant coach for the Princeton National Rowing Association for the 2019 season.
 
Kendall rowed at the University of Michigan and was a three-time All-American (second team in 2016 and first team in 2017 and 2018), named the 2018 Big Ten Co-Athlete of the Year, served as team captain and helped the Wolverines finish as high as third at the 2016 NCAA Championships. She rowed on both the U.S. U23 team and senior national team and won the gold medal in both the women's 8+ and 4- at the 2016 U23 World Championships, setting a world record in the four.
 
"We're extremely fortunate that Kendall chose to come to Cal as her next step to becoming a head coach," Acosta said. "She's a great coach, leader and role model. I know she'll have a big impact on our team."
 
"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to join Al and the rest of the staff," Brewer said. "I've spent many years following and competing alongside Cal, and throughout those years I have developed a lot of respect for the program. I'm honored to have the chance to contribute to Al's vision for the team and I could not be more excited to meet the athletes and get to work."
 
Mansfeld returns to the Bay Area after having coached the German senior women's rowing team from 2024-25. He also served as the head coach for the Czech National Team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Prior to coaching the Czechs, Mansfield also had coaching stints at the Texas Rowing Center (2021-23), where he coached former Bear and three-time Olympian Kara Kohler, Vesper Boat Club (2018-21) and the California Rowing Club from 2015-18.
 
Mansfield started rowing at Dresdner Ruder Club in Germany in 1995. During a student-exchange program, he became a member at VK Slavia Prague and went on to compete at the World University Championships in the men's pair for the University of Konstanz. He won several medals at national championships in Germany, Czech Republic and Switzerland.
 
"Obviously, Peter has a ton of experience at the highest level of our sport," Acosta said. "More importantly, he has a holistic approach to sport, he works hard, and he always brings positive energy to the boathouse. We're excited to welcome Peter to Cal and to get the 2026 season started."
 
"I'm incredibly honored to join Cal and contribute to its storied legacy of excellence," Mansfeld said. "I'm excited to work alongside such passionate student-athletes and committed colleagues as we strive to build the next chapter of success together."
 
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