July 11, 2012

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Los Angeles, Calif. - Victoria Burke has been named the new assistant women's rowing coach at UCLA, as announced by head coach Amy Fuller Kearney today. Burke spent last season working as an assistant at the University of Virginia, helping them win their second NCAA Division I Championship.

As an athlete, Victoria competed in three NCAA championships with the University of Virginia, helping the varsity eight to a second place finish in June of 2009 and winning the NCAA Division I team championship in 2010. At the elite level, Burke has spent the past five summers rowing at GMS in Connecticut, medaling at several National Regattas. Her international results include winning a silver medal at the 2009 U-23 World Championships in the Lightweight Women's Quad, and winning a gold medal in the Lightweight Women's single at the 2009 SilverSkiff Regatta in Turin, Italy. In 2010, Burke won a silver medal at the Senior World Championships in New Zealand in the Lightweight Women's Quad.

Burke is currently the assistant coach for the U.S. U-23 Lightweight Women's Quad, competing in Trakai, Lithuania at the 2012 U-23 World Rowing Championships. UCLA junior Carolina Paini is one of the members of that crew that is being coached by Burke.

Burke's on the water duty will be coaching the novice women. Off the water, she will be working in collaboration with Fuller Kearney and assistant coach Justin Price in all aspects of the program.

Burke graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Art History and a minor in Italian in 2009. She learned to row at Saugatuck Rowing Club and replaces former assistant coach Luke Cunningham.

"We feel strongly that this is a great hire for our program," Fuller Kearney said. "Victoria is passionate about the sport and is poised to make a big impact in the coaching world. She has experienced success as an athlete at both the collegiate and elite levels of our sport and is excited about sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with the Bruins."