HIGH POINT, N.C. - Head Coach Jessica Deitrick has added Katie Ognovich to serve as an assistant coach of the High Point Universtiy women's rowing team.

"I am thrilled to add Katie to our coaching staff, Deitrick said. Katie comes from a competitive rowing background that I believe will resonate with our athletes and inspire them to push to the next level. Her time as the head coach of Charlotte Youth Rowing shows her passion for coaching and desire to inspire and lead the next generation of rowers. I am excited to see the impact Katie will have on our program."

Ognovich comes to High Point after serving as the Program Director and Head Coach of the Charlotte Youth Rowing club for four years. She earned her M.S. in Athletic Leadership from Clemson University in 2021 and her B.S. in Psychological Development and Health Awareness from Oklahoma University in 2018. Ognovich was a Division I rower at OU who's program was consistently ranked in the top-20. 

Ognovich served as the Head Coach of the Master and Youth programs at Triad United Rowing from 2018-2020, before making her way to Charlotte. As the Program Director and Head Coach of Charlotte Youth Rowing, Ognovich doubled the size of the program in her first year, as she continued to oversee day to day operations, build training programs, and support athlete development. 

In 2024, Ognovich led her squad to the Youth Nationals where the Women's 2 placed eighth, Men's U17 placed 10th, and Men's 4 placed 13th, all in the A/B finals. She also led her team to two first place finishes, one in the Men's 4-, and one in the Men's U17, at the 2024 Southeast Regional. 

Ognovich will join the Panthers this summer as HPU prepares for its second season as a Division I program. The 2025-26 year will be the first full year competing in the Mid-American Conference as the Panthers will get the opportunity to row for a MAC title in the spring of 2026.