About Us
Peter Steenstra
Co Director / Owner
Head Coach, Men’s and Women’s Rowing
Bates College
Since he was named head rowing coach at Bates in March 2009, Peter Steenstra has led the program into undoubtedly one of the finest in Division III. Bates women's rowing has competed in the NCAA Championships in every year, including seven second-place finishes and five NCAA Division III championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021) -- the only Bobcats in Bates College history to win a national team championship. Under Steenstra's leadership, the women have claimed seven NESCAC titles in the last eight seasons and the men have won four NESCAC titles in the last seven.
Steenstra has vast experience in rowing, beginning with his career on the men’s varsity eight at Hobart College, where he graduated in 1996. Steenstra coached the men’s and women’s novice crews at Colby College for three years, then was the head coach of the men’s and women’s crew club at The Ohio State University from 1999 to 2006. Steenstra also coached at Cornell University, first as varsity assistant coach of the heavyweight men and then as the assistant women’s coach, while earning a master of science degree in sports management from Ithaca College.
Mark Davis
Co Director / Presentation Coordinator
Athlete Support & Retention Manager, George Pocock Rowing Foundation
Head Coach, Seattle Prep
At GPRF Mark is the Athlete Support and Retention Manager. He is building a robust athlete support program while focusing on increasing participation and retention.
Before his time at GPRF, he was the executive director at Sammamish Rowing Association for three years and before that a long time collegiate rowing coach. Mark was Head Men’s Coach at George Washington University between the years of 2009 and 2020. With Davis at the helm, the Colonials enjoyed a pinnacle season in 2018-19, culminating in an all-time program best No. 13 finish nationally for the varsity 8 boat at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships.
When not working, Mark likes to spend time with his family outdoors in the wonderful PNW wilderness hiking and camping. Mark and Peter first met when they rowed together at Hobart in the early 90’s and have been friends and coworkers ever since (we don’t talk about the who won the seat races between the two, it’s a sore subject.)
Lizzie Mitchell
Director of Women in Coaching Chat
Associate Head Women’s Rowing Coach
Boston University
Lizzie Mitchell joined the Boston University women's rowing program in September 2023. In the past two years, Mitchell has helped the BU women achieve two consecutive Patriot League Championships and an automatic bid to NCAA for 2024/25.
Mitchell arrives to Terrier Town following one season as the head coach at Division III Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. Mitchell boasts extensive experience at the collegiate level, winning four national titles as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III juggernaut Bates College. Mitchell assisted the Bobcats’ program from 2015 to 2021, hoisting national titles in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. Mitchell guided Bates to New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) titles in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021 and was part of the Bates College staff that was tabbed Division III Staff of the Year in 2017, 2018, and 2019 by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association.
In addition to working with the national title winning women’s program, Mitchell assisted with the men’s program, helping the Bobcats win NESCAC crowns in 2017, 2018, and 2019 and making the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships in 2018 and 2021.
Mitchell has a B.S. in Recreation Management from the University of Vermont and holds a M.Ed. in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from the University of Washington.
Greta O’Hara
Director of Operations and Social Media
Assistant Women's Rowing Coach and Recruiting Coordinator
Bates College
Greta O’Hara joined the Bates College Bobcats in the summer of 2025 as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the women's rowing program. Prior to her time at Bates, she was an assistant coach with the women's rowing team at George Washington University in Washington, DC during the 2024-2025 season.
O’Hara spent the previous two years at Smith College while she earned her Master's in Exercise and Sport Studies and was an assistant coach with the rowing team. Under her guidance, O'Hara helped Smith return to the NCAA Division III Championship for the first time in 15 years, placing sixth. The program also featured a pair of All-Americans during her time, recorded a program-best finish of fourth at the 2023 Head of the Charles, and was named to the NEWMAC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2024. During her time, O'Hara was a member of the Smith Athletics Department Inclusion Council, leading to push forth DEI initiatives.
O’Hara began her coaching career at Cascadilla Boat Club of Ithaca, N.Y., following her four years as a Division III student-athlete at Ithaca College, where she received a Bachelor of Science, studying psychology, sociology, and sport psychology. During her time, the Bombers secured their first two Liberty League Championship and twice placed in the top five at the NCAA Championship.
Hannah Fitts
Director of Registration and Website Management
Assistant Men’s Rowing Coach and Recruiting Coordinator
Bates College
Hannah Fitts ‘20 rejoined the Bobcats in the summer of 2025, this time as a coach. Fitts has spent the past three years at Dartmouth College, coaching the women’s team from 2022-2024 and the lightweight men for the 2024-2025 season.
During her time with the Dartmouth lightweights, Fitts coached the varsity 4+ to a silver medal at the Eastern Sprints and helped the squad take second in the team points at the IRA National Championship, the best finish in program history.
Since graduating from Bates, Fitts has been heavily involved with the development of a new rowing telemetry product, XBoat. As one of the early contributors to the product, Fitts helped shape its direction from the ground up. Throughout her time with XBoat, she worked as a data engineer, analyst, product advisor, and tester.
Fitts graduated from Bates in 2020 with a B.S. in Physics. Fitts was an All-American and All-NESCAC athlete, as well as a three-time NCAA champion. Fitts also helped the team set the HOCR collegiate women’s 8+ record in 2017. Fitts conducted her senior thesis on the physics of rowing.
