Photo by: Sarah Smith
Spartan Rowing Welcomes Cantrell, Platzer to 2022-23 Staff
10/21/2022 5:46:00 PM | Women's Rowing
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head rowing coach Kim Chavers announced the addition of Ronnie Cantrell and Veronika Platzer to the 2022-23 staff on Friday, with Cantrell joining the program as an assistant coach and Platzer serving as the team's rigger.
Â
"I'm excited to welcome Ronnie and Veronika to our staff," Chavers said. "Ronnie brings great experience coaching juniors in Michigan as well as at the Olympic Development level. His background in racing here in Michigan and internationally has allowed him to connect well with our diverse group of student-athletes. Veronika's 20-plus years of experience as a coach and rigger will not only assist us with training and racing at a high level from an equipment perspective, but her expertise will be incredibly valuable to our program as we continue to develop and grow in the future."
Â
Cantrell joins MSU rowing following an extensive career in coaching at the high school, club, international and Olympic Development levels. During his time with both Ann Arbor Skyline High School and Ann Arbor Pioneer High School crew, Cantrell helped lead seven Midwest Scholastic Championship squads and secured multiple podium finishes in the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships. At Skyline, Cantrell helped direct the Points Trophy-winning women's team at the Michigan State Rowing Championships.
Â
He helped create and implement a new training program at the Washtenaw Rowing Center as the men's High-Performance Coach. Last summer, Cantrell served as the United States Olympic Development Program's women's coach, identifying and developing athletes for progression through the U.S. National Team system in preparation for international competition.
Â
Prior to MSU, Cantrell was a four-year varsity rower and team captain at Ann Arbor Skyline, winning six Midwest Scholastic Championship titles, and booking multiple medalist finishes at the SRAA and CSSRA National Championships. He was a member of the 2016 USA High-Performance Team and competed at the collegiate level at Oxford Brookes University.
Â
Platzer enters her first season as the program's rigger following a six-year stint as the Director of Rowing with the Colorado Junior Crew. In that span, Platzer also worked as the Director of Rowing and head coach with Boulder Community Rowing. Her career spans over two decades of experience as a boat trailer driver, rigger, and college recruiting consultant. Platzer also brings extensive experience as an Olympic lifting and strength coach with USA Weightlifting.
Â
A graduate of Grinnell College in 1987, Platzer earned her bachelor of arts degree in anthropology. She garnered an advanced certificate in rowing leadership at the Institute for Rowing Leadership in Boston. Her athletic career spanned four years as a national team member in track and field in addition to three NCAA Division III National Championships in women's discus. Platzer is a 12-time Division III All-American in three different field events and was inducted into three different Halls of Fame.
Â
FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State rowing. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan rowing team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_Rowing.
Â
"I'm excited to welcome Ronnie and Veronika to our staff," Chavers said. "Ronnie brings great experience coaching juniors in Michigan as well as at the Olympic Development level. His background in racing here in Michigan and internationally has allowed him to connect well with our diverse group of student-athletes. Veronika's 20-plus years of experience as a coach and rigger will not only assist us with training and racing at a high level from an equipment perspective, but her expertise will be incredibly valuable to our program as we continue to develop and grow in the future."
Â
Cantrell joins MSU rowing following an extensive career in coaching at the high school, club, international and Olympic Development levels. During his time with both Ann Arbor Skyline High School and Ann Arbor Pioneer High School crew, Cantrell helped lead seven Midwest Scholastic Championship squads and secured multiple podium finishes in the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships. At Skyline, Cantrell helped direct the Points Trophy-winning women's team at the Michigan State Rowing Championships.
Â
He helped create and implement a new training program at the Washtenaw Rowing Center as the men's High-Performance Coach. Last summer, Cantrell served as the United States Olympic Development Program's women's coach, identifying and developing athletes for progression through the U.S. National Team system in preparation for international competition.
Â
Prior to MSU, Cantrell was a four-year varsity rower and team captain at Ann Arbor Skyline, winning six Midwest Scholastic Championship titles, and booking multiple medalist finishes at the SRAA and CSSRA National Championships. He was a member of the 2016 USA High-Performance Team and competed at the collegiate level at Oxford Brookes University.
Â
Platzer enters her first season as the program's rigger following a six-year stint as the Director of Rowing with the Colorado Junior Crew. In that span, Platzer also worked as the Director of Rowing and head coach with Boulder Community Rowing. Her career spans over two decades of experience as a boat trailer driver, rigger, and college recruiting consultant. Platzer also brings extensive experience as an Olympic lifting and strength coach with USA Weightlifting.
Â
A graduate of Grinnell College in 1987, Platzer earned her bachelor of arts degree in anthropology. She garnered an advanced certificate in rowing leadership at the Institute for Rowing Leadership in Boston. Her athletic career spanned four years as a national team member in track and field in addition to three NCAA Division III National Championships in women's discus. Platzer is a 12-time Division III All-American in three different field events and was inducted into three different Halls of Fame.
Â
FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State rowing. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan rowing team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_Rowing.
Pink Ribbon Crew | Spartans All-Access
Sunday, May 18
Uncharted Waters | Spartans All-Access
Thursday, April 10
Spartans All-Access: Rowing Unveils Newly-Renovated Facility
Monday, April 22
Spartans All-Access: Rowing Winter Training
Monday, January 22