- RowBuffalo Summer Competitive Program -
This program is for rowers with previous competitive experience
Junior & U23/Open Men
Head Coach: Nick Hannon
Nick Hannon will serve as the Head Coach for the Junior and U23 Men’s program at RowBuffalo this summer. He earned his master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Mercyhurst University in 2025, after completing his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2021.
As a collegiate athlete, Nick competed on Mercyhurst’s lightweight rowing team, earning four Dad Vail medals (three gold, one silver) and racing at the IRA National Championships in the lightweight eight.
Nick is a USRowing Level 2 certified coach and currently coaches at Mercyhurst across all three rowing programs: lightweight men’s, heavyweight men’s, and women’s. Most recently, he helped coach the women’s team, which earned National Runner-Up at the NCAA Division II Championships 2024.
Assistant/Guest Coaches: TBD
Junior & U23/Open Women
Head Coach: Lilla Caton
Coach Lilla Caton began her rowing career with the Nashville Rowing Club where she competed at the Head of the Charles Regatta and USRowing Youth Nationals. She then went on to row at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in engineering management. During her rowing career at UMass, Coach Lilla was medically disqualified due to a significant back injury which sparked her interest in injury prevention and biomechanics within rowing.
In the fall of 2022, Lilla began coaching while studying Biomedical Engineering at Penn State. She started as Novice Coach before moving into the Varsity Women's Coach role in the fall of 2023. As Varsity Women's Coach, Lilla led the WV4+ to a 3rd place finish at Dad Vails 2024 and the first ACRA grand final appearance in 5 years where the boat ultimately finished in 5th place. Following the successful conclusion of the season, Lilla took over as Head Coach. Lilla now works with both Varsity men and women, and she is excited to continue sharing her passion for the sport with the team in her role as Head Coach for RowBuffalo.
Assistant Coaches: TBD
- Tentative 2025 Summer Regatta Schedule -
Additional charges for regattas may apply
Independence Day Regatta - July 4th - 6th @ Philadelphia, PA (select athletes who meet standard)
West Side Invitational - Sunday, July 6th @ Buffalo, NY (all athletes)
RowOntario Championships - July 19th - July 20th @ Welland, ON (all athletes)
141st Royal Canadian Henley Regatta - August 5th - 10th @ St. Catharines, ON (most athletes)