Coaches
Coach Carabillo has a rich history in rowing, starting from her time at Simsbury High School, where she excelled for three years and graduated in 1983. Her senior year marked by remarkable achievements, including a second-place finish at the Stotesbury Cup and third at the NEIRA Championships. Continuing her passion, she rowed at Northeastern University for four years. Since joining the Simsbury coaching staff in 1989, Coach Carabillo has made significant contributions, coaching novice boys and becoming the Boys' Head Coach from 1994 - 2018. She lead the 2004 team to a silver medal at NEIRA. In spring 2019, she became the Girls' Head Coach and in spring 2026, she returns to the Boys' Head Coach. She is dedicated to identifying athletes for Junior National consideration and holds a USRowing Coaching Level III Certification. She is the founder of CPSRA and serves on the NEIRA Committee of Management. She is also one of the NEIRA Seeders. During the summer, she manages programs for aspiring rowers and ensures the upkeep of the boathouse and equipment.
Coach Ashley Atencio began her rowing career at a learn to row camp at the Paine Boathouse and continued throughout high school. The highlight of her time at Simsbury Crew was stroking the varsity 8 to a second place finish at the 1993 Head of the Charles. The following year she was recruited to row at Columbia. As a member of the of both the crew and equestrian teams (not simultaneously), Ashley is one of the few people who can claim they rowed and rode for Columbia. While taking a year away from school, Ashley had the fantastic good fortune to coach three 8’s of novice girls at Simsbury. In the ensuing decades, she referred to this as the “best job I ever had.” While coaching, she learned to scull and competed at the 1995 Charles. In addition to rowing, Ashley has pursued a variety of athletic interests from cycling to running the NYC marathon to her current obsession with functional fitness. When not at the boathouse, you can find her collecting finishers medals at 5k’s and 10k’s and competing in local CrossFit competitions.
Vanessa Moors is a highly accomplished rowing coach and athlete with a rich history in the sport spanning over four decades. Born into a rowing family, she began her journey at age 8, inspired by her father Brian Thorne, a Canadian National Team member with multiple international medals. Vanessa's own competitive career has been equally impressive, earning accolades such as the 1994 Canadian Youth Sculler of the Year and over 10 gold medals at the Royal Canadian Henley. Her coaching achievements include multiple NEIRA medals, Silver Medal at Youth Nationals and consistently qualifying crews for NEIRA Championships. Vanessa has mentored numerous athletes who have gone on to successful Division 1 rowing careers including one who became a decorated national team member, competing in the 2016 Olympics. Earlier in her career, Vanessa coached at several schools and clubs where her teams secured medals at Stotesbury Cup, Canadian Schoolboy Championships and Henley regattas. She also served as the Head Coach for St. Catharines Youth Rowing from 1994 to 2004, focusing on developing young talent. Vanessa continues to compete at the masters level, having completed 25 Head of the Charles races. Beyond rowing, she is an accomplished runner and cyclist, with achievements including several marathons including the Boston Marathon in 2021.
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Coach Doron started her rowing career as a spectator at her brother’s high school regattas. After being on the sidelines she decided she should start rowing and proceeded to row for 6 seasons on the Simsbury High School Crew team, and skied 4 seasons on the Simsbury High School Cross Country Ski team, graduating in 2022. After graduating she went on to serve in the military for two years as an Air Force Photographer, being discharged in February of 2025. She is an avid traveler and a lover of the outdoors. Although she loves to travel, she is excited to be back at the boathouse and give back as a coach to the program that taught her so much
Coach Molly started off as the Novice Boys coach in the Fall of 2021, settling into the position of landcoach and moving into the Varsity Assistant coaching position in the spring of 2023. She graduated from Simsbury High School in 2007, where she played soccer, basketball, and track and field, as well as field hockey and lacrosse in the summers. She currently works in the Simsbury school system.
Chris Morris
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Novice Girls Coach
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Coach Morris began his rowing career in the fall of his freshman year at Simsbury High School. By spring, he had already earned a seat on the 2nd Varsity boat, helping lead the crew to a 2V State Championship title and a qualification for NEIRA. That same year, he was recognized with the Most Valuable Freshman Oarsman Award for his early dedication and impact on the team. As a sophomore, he moved up to the 1st Varsity boat, contributing to a 1V State Championship victory. He remained a varsity rower for the rest of his high school career, competing in major regattas including NEIRA and the Head of the Charles. In his senior year, he was named team captain and was honored with the Class of 1977 Scholarship for leadership and commitment to the program. Beyond rowing, Coach Morris also excelled in swimming at Simsbury, qualifying for the State Finals during his high school career. After graduating in 2025, he committed to swim Division III at the University of Saint Joseph, where he is currently studying Public Health. Coach Morris joined the team as the Novice Girls Coach in 2026, bringing his competitive experience, leadership, and enthusiasm to the team.