Ruth O'Connell

Biography

Ruth O'Connell joined the Seahawks men's and women's rowing staff for the 2017-18 season. O'Connell started rowing after college as part of an adult learn-to-row program in Washington, D.C., and then continued to train and compete first with Capital Rowing Club and then with Potomac Boat Club. She raced in all of the major East Coast club regattas, including club nationals, Canadian Henley, and U.S. Master's Nationals, medaling in all classes of team boats. As a competitive club rower, she had unique access to coaching from several legendary rowing coaches in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, and also rowed with several national team and Olympic athletes. The Bowie, Md., native moved to St. Mary's County in the fall of 1998 and then took time off from rowing to raise a family. Ten years later, she returned to rowing as one of the founding members of the Southern Maryland Rowing Association (SMRA). In 2021, O'Connell completed the requirements to earn a U.S. Rowing Level II coaches certification. She graduated from Hood College (Frederick, Md.) in 1984 and has 35 years of government service, working for the Naval Air Systems Command HQ in government contracting.

Career Path