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
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.)
Carly Abarbanel
Director of Operations
Assistant Women's Rowing Coach and Recruiting Director
Duke University
Carly Abarbanel started at Bates College in the spring of 2021 as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Bates women's rowing program. Since then, the team has won 2 NESCAC Championships as well as their 4th straight NCAA title in 2021.
She was the founding co-captain in 2018 of the Open Women's Sweep Team at the Potomac Boat Club. At the same time, Abarbanel was the head coach of the Novice girls crew at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, Washington, D.C.
Hailing from Springfield, Mass., Abarbanel is very familiar with the NCAA Division III rowing landscape. She rowed for Wellesley in college, graduating in 2012 with a BA in Cinema and Media Studies and a minor in Education. Abarbanel earned her MAT in Secondary Math Education with a focus on Urban Education from Oakland University in 2014.
For any questions regarding registration, please contact Carly at admin@steenstrarowing.com
Lizzie Mitchell
Asst. Director of Marketing
Associate Head Women’s Rowing Coach
Boston University
Lizzie Mitchell joined the Boston University women's rowing program in September 2023. The 2023-24 season marks her first on the Charles River.
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.
Catie Flynn
Asst. Director of Operations
Assistant Women’s Coach & Recruiting Coordinator
Bates College
Flynn's passion for the sport of rowing developed while competing for the first time in the eighth grade at Boston Latin School. Since that first experience, she has rowed every summer, fall, winter, and spring since, gaining experience in small boats, eights, sculling, sweeping, port, and starboard. A two-year captain for the Boston Latin team, Flynn's successes earned her the opportunity to compete at the NCAA Division I level at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.
A 2023 graduate, Flynn is thrilled to not only be staying involved with the sport, but to be able to have a direct impact on inspiring student-athletes as they "fall in love" with the sport like her coaches did for her. She joined the Bates Women’s Rowing team as the Assistant Coach and Recruitment Coordinator in fall of 2023 and has been with the Bobcats since.
