STANFORD, Calif. – Following a tremendously successful five years on The Farm, Kate Bertko has stepped down as head coach of the Stanford lightweight rowing program.
"The deep qualifications that Kate brought to Stanford translated into great success here, and we are grateful for her contributions," said Bernard Muir, Stanford's Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics. "She will be missed by many, and I wish her all the best in the future."
"It has been a privilege to work with the lightweight rowing team," said Bertko. "These young people demonstrate grit, resilience and integrity on a daily basis and I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the future."
Bertko led Stanford to three consecutive Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and was the IRA and Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in each of the three title-winning seasons. The Cardinal won all three races at the 2017 IRA Championships for the first time in program history.
The final two seasons of Bertko's tenure were severely impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic, as the 2019-20 season was canceled and the 2020-21 campaign shortened to just three regattas. The team earned the varsity four title at the 2021 IRA Championships and placed second in the double.
One of the nation's most decorated lightweight rowers, Bertko was a seven-year member of the national team, an Olympian in 2016 and the USRowing Female Athlete of the Year in 2013. A four-time medalist on the international level, Bertko finished 10th in the lightweight double sculls in Rio.
Bertko was recently selected to coach the USA women's pair at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.