TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University women's rowing team and Head Coach Matt Oclander have announced the addition of Austyn Smith and Julez Johnson as assistant coaches for the 2025-2026 season.

Both Smith and Johnson join the Lutes with experience coaching at Commencement Bay Rowing Club and as student-athletes, competing at the NCAA Division III Championships.

Smith joins the Lutes after coaching at Commencement Bay and serving as a volunteer coach at their alma mater University of Puget Sound. As a student-athlete, Smith rowed in the Logger varsity eight boat, helping the program win the Northwest Conference title in 2024 and finish seventh overall at the NCAA Division III Championships.

"We're excited to welcome Austyn to Luteville! From the start, it was very clear how deeply they care for their athletes both on and off the water. Austyn's passion for long-term athlete development aligns perfectly with the values and culture we strive to build at PLU. We look forward to seeing their positive impact on our student-athletes as we continue our upward trajectory and build on last year's success," said Oclander. 

Johnson returns to her alma mater where she was a two-time All-American. Johnson was a First Team All-American in 2022 and was Second Team All-American in 2021, helping the Lutes win two NWC titles and make two trips to the NCAA Championships. A three-time All-Conference selection and a team captain, Johnson played a key role in the Lutes' fifth place finish at the 2021 NCAA Regatta. Johnson also coached at Commencement Bay Rowing Club and earned a USRowing Level 2 Coaching Certification.

"It's wonderful to have PLU's latest All-American rower come back with a megaphone in hand. Julez has lived the full Lute experience, from walking onto the team with no rowing experience to competing at the NCAA Championship, graduating, and making a difference in her community. Her journey will be invaluable for our student-athletes to learn from, and her passion for developing fast, fierce competitors, makes her a great addition to our staff. Julez brings first-hand knowledge of what it means to race at the highest levels while representing PLU, and she'll be a positive voice from the coaching launch for both our current and future Lutes."

Last spring, Oclander guided the Lutes to an eighth place finish at the NCAA Division III Championships, returning PLU to the national regatta after a two-year absence. The Lutes open the fall racing season on Sunday, Oct. 12, racing at the American Lake Fall Classic.