Men’s Rowing

Alex Kincaid ’19 was named head coach of the men’s rowing program in July. Kincaid takes over the program after serving as the acting head coach in the spring of 2025. 

“It is awesome to be back coaching at my alma mater,” Kincaid said. “I consider this place home, and from the rowing standpoint, I think we’re really fortunate in that there are few, if any, better bodies of water to row on than the Chester.”

Kincaid served as a coxswain for four years with the heavyweight men’s team at Washington before beginning his coaching career. After graduating, he coached rowing and taught at DeMatha Catholic High School before transitioning to coaching the men’s rowing team at Catholic University. His most recent coaching role was at the United States Naval Academy as an assistant for the heavyweight men.

Last spring, Kincaid led the program to a fourth-place finish in the Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference Championships, and the team earned a silver medal in the Dad Vail Championships to end their season. 

“I’ve had a blast as I’ve stepped into the role here, and being able to send last year’s group out with a second-place finish at the Dad Vail was really special, and something the program has not accomplished since 1997,” Kincaid said.  “As we enter the fall season, the team is really young, but eager to develop, so I think we will continue to see them raise the bar on and off the water for what it means to be a Shoremen rower.”

The Shoremen rowing team began the fall season on October 5 in Lorton, Virginia. The Shoremen will host Franklin & Marshall October 18 and 19 at home at the Hodson Boathouse. 

Men’s and Women’s Swimming

Also in July, James Koval was appointed head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming teams. 

Koval joins the program after serving as head coach of the Chatham University men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs from 2023 to 2025. Koval’s time at Chatham produced five individual Presidents Athletic Conference champions, and he was named 2025 PAC Women’s Swim Coach of the Year after the Cougar women nearly doubled their conference championship points total from the year prior.

“The first few months working with the swimming teams has been very exciting. We have an excellent group of dedicated, passionate student-athletes who care deeply about this team and each other. That’s a good foundation for any team and particularly in a sport like this one,” Koval said. “As someone completely new to the WAC community, I have certainly felt the love and family atmosphere that everyone brings to this school.”

Shoremen and Shorewomen swimming will begin on October 25 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The teams’ first home meet will be on November 8 as they take on conference rival, Swarthmore. 

“I am looking forward to getting back on the pool deck and doing the work to turn potential into progress,” Koval said. “Each swim season brings pleasant surprises, and this year should be no different.”

To stay up to date on all athletics schedules and results, check out washcollsports.com.

—Courtney Hardy