Upcoming Event: Rowing at High Point Rowing Festival on October 5, 2025 at All Day
/
All Day
Rowing
at High Point Rowing Festival
Duke Rowing Welcomes Carly Abarbanel to Coaching Staff
9/5/2023 7:21:00 PM | Rowing
DURAHM – Duke rowing head coach Megan Cooke Carcagno announced the hiring of Carly Abarbanel as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator on Tuesday.
"We're so excited to have Carly here at Duke," Cooke Carcagno said. "I was immediately blown away by her energy and enthusiasm. Carly has done amazing things at Bates and will have an immediate impact, without question. She's a great addition to our staff and team."
Abarbanel joins the Blue Devils after a three-year stint at Bates College as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the women's rowing team. She has also spent time working with the men's program as well.
"If my big smile hasn't given me away yet, I'm thrilled to be joining this vibrant, caring and brilliant team," said Abarbanel. "I've long admired what Megan has cultivated at Duke and it's a dream to coach with and learn from her, not to mention Wendy [Davis] and Emilie [Gross]. I'm looking forward to putting in the work with this squad of coaches and athletes to see how far we can climb together."
Abarbanel, a native of Springfield, Mass., helped continue the success of both the men's and women's rowing programs. Under her guidance, the Bates women's rowing team made its 16th consecutive appearance at the NCAA Division III Rowing Championships in 2023 and finished fourth in the team standings with 41 points. The Second Varsity Eight crew collected their ninth straight gold medal at the championship regatta, clocking a time of 7:10.463. The Bobcats also secured their 10th consecutive President's Cup after winning nine of 10 races over Colby, Bowdoin and the University of Maine. Her coaching and leadership led to the development of many Bates student-athletes, including four first-team Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) All-Americans.
In June, Abarbanel and the Bates coaching staff were named the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) Division III Staff of the Year. Under their leadership, the Bobcats finished third in the team standings at the 2023 IRA National Championships and the Varsity Eight brought home a bronze medal, the first medal in the men's program history.
Prior to her time at Bates, Abarbanel served as the head coach of the novice girl's crew team at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Washington, D.C. She was also a founding member and co-captain of the Potomac Boat Club's Open Women's Sweep team in 2018.
A 2012 graduate of Wellesley College, Abarbanel earned a degree in cinema and media studies with a minor in education. She achieved her master's degree in secondary math education with a focus on urban education from Oakland University in 2014.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils rowing, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeROW".
#GoDuke
"We're so excited to have Carly here at Duke," Cooke Carcagno said. "I was immediately blown away by her energy and enthusiasm. Carly has done amazing things at Bates and will have an immediate impact, without question. She's a great addition to our staff and team."
Abarbanel joins the Blue Devils after a three-year stint at Bates College as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the women's rowing team. She has also spent time working with the men's program as well.
"If my big smile hasn't given me away yet, I'm thrilled to be joining this vibrant, caring and brilliant team," said Abarbanel. "I've long admired what Megan has cultivated at Duke and it's a dream to coach with and learn from her, not to mention Wendy [Davis] and Emilie [Gross]. I'm looking forward to putting in the work with this squad of coaches and athletes to see how far we can climb together."
Abarbanel, a native of Springfield, Mass., helped continue the success of both the men's and women's rowing programs. Under her guidance, the Bates women's rowing team made its 16th consecutive appearance at the NCAA Division III Rowing Championships in 2023 and finished fourth in the team standings with 41 points. The Second Varsity Eight crew collected their ninth straight gold medal at the championship regatta, clocking a time of 7:10.463. The Bobcats also secured their 10th consecutive President's Cup after winning nine of 10 races over Colby, Bowdoin and the University of Maine. Her coaching and leadership led to the development of many Bates student-athletes, including four first-team Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) All-Americans.
In June, Abarbanel and the Bates coaching staff were named the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) Division III Staff of the Year. Under their leadership, the Bobcats finished third in the team standings at the 2023 IRA National Championships and the Varsity Eight brought home a bronze medal, the first medal in the men's program history.
Prior to her time at Bates, Abarbanel served as the head coach of the novice girl's crew team at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Washington, D.C. She was also a founding member and co-captain of the Potomac Boat Club's Open Women's Sweep team in 2018.
A 2012 graduate of Wellesley College, Abarbanel earned a degree in cinema and media studies with a minor in education. She achieved her master's degree in secondary math education with a focus on urban education from Oakland University in 2014.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils rowing, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeROW".
#GoDuke
Duke Athletics: A Tour of Campus
Saturday, October 19
Welcome to Duke
Saturday, October 19
A Century of Blue Devil Brilliance
Saturday, October 19
BDN Studios Presents: Relentless
Friday, October 11
