Nova Southeastern University Athletics

Lauren Spinka begins her first season as Nova Southeastern University's rowing assistant coach.

Prior to joining NSU, Spinka began her rowing career in 2002 at H.B. Plant High School in Tampa, Fla. During her four years of rowing there, the program grew in both numbers and speed, and she raced in the first boat out of the Plant boathouse to qualify to the Youth National Championships in Cincinnati.

After high school, Spinka attended college at the University of Florida, and joined the school’s rowing team. As an athlete on the team, Spinka gained valuable experience rowing and coxing, and was named assistant captain of the Varsity Women’s team. Her junior year, Spinka assumed a new role on the team, as the Varsity Women’s assistant coach.

The following year, she became the coach of both the Varsity and Novice crews, and looked forward to the opportunity to improve the program’s speed and reputation. That year, the entire Women’s program improved, with both the top Varsity and Novice 8s consistently ranked Top 10 in the ACRA poll during the spring.

For the first time in well over a decade, the Varsity 8 made it to the Grand Final at SIRA, a full twenty seconds faster over the course of a 2K than the year prior and the only club team to land a spot in the race. The Novice 8 followed in the steps of the Varsity 8, making a Grand Final at SIRA, and medaling at States.

In addition, Spinka completed a summer internship in the UF Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Institute. Spinka also spent a year as an Independent Masters Rowing Instructor in Tampa in 2009.

Spinka completed her undergraduate degree in applied physiology and kinesiology from the University of Florida in 2010, specializing in the study of fitness and wellness.