Bishop Ireton High School has a newly appointed head coach for the men’s & women’s Rowing Team. Former coach Ryan Gibson, stepped down following the spring campaign as the increasing demands of his professional career in aviation required more and more time away from the northern Virginia region.
Eric Gehrke, native to Alexandria attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC where he learned to row. During that time he won three National Championships (2002, 2003) and two Canadian Henley Gold Medals (2002, 2003) for Thompson’s Boat Center club program, as well as a 6th place finish at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta (2003) his senior year with Gonzaga.
Eric was named to the Washington Post All-Met team his senior year and also garnered an invitation to try out for the United States Junior National Team (2003). He went on to row for Boston College, where he was named captain for the 2006-07 school year and won a bronze medal in the Collegiate Four at the Head of the Charles (2006).
Since graduating Gehrke moved back to the Washington, DC area to coach at Gonzaga. In his two years there (2009, 2010) his Freshman Eight won a Bronze Medal at Stotesbury and won the WMIRA Freshman Eight event and Novice Eight event both years. While newly hired skipper oversees the entire program, he will be coaching the Varsity Men.
When asked about his move from a nationally ranked team to come to the growing Cardinals’ program Eric stated, “Joining the Ireton family was the right choice. Everyone has been beyond welcoming and I know that this team is primed for some great races. The athletes are all very young and excited about the time they have to improve and put down the first building blocks for a perennial powerhouse program. We will succeed because we will hit the ground running and never look back.”
Gehrke will inherit three returning coaches from Ryan Gibson’s staff. Sean Underwood of East Lyme, CT was the Men’s Varsity coach last season and will be taking over the freshman boys for this Fall. Brent Keuch of Old Town Alexandria will be moving from the men’s team to the women’s side to take over the Varsity program. Last year, the Lady Cardinals finished 10th in the nation in the Junior 8, the best finish in school history. Coach Brent has higher expectations for this young group of girls. Ireton is lucky to have back former student/coxswain Julie Fischer as the Freshman coach for the women. Julie Fischer has been with with Bishop Ireton since 2009 and looks to have a promising season with the incoming freshman.
Bishop Ireton athletic director, Bill Simmons, had high praise for the head coach, “Eric has a superb resume, but he also impressed our community when he met with us. Gonzaga AD, Joe Reyda, gave him a strong endorsement and Joe knows talent as the results at Gonzaga under his athletic leadership clearly demonstrate. I am excited to welcome Eric to the Cardinal coaching fraternity. Attracting the best coaches available remains among my highest priorities.”
Coach Gehrke said in an interview, “Now that the planning is done we will work everyday to improve our place in the rowing world. Hopefully I can help the athletes succeed with their goals and they can teach me what it takes to build a team with strong values and even stronger personal bonds.”
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