Michelle was born and raised in South Africa and began her rowing career at Stellenbosch University, where she was a member of the Varsity 8 for 5 years, participating in 5 University Boat Races, 5 University Championships and 2 National Championships. Michelle began coaching at Stellenbosch and served as president of her college rowing club.

Michelle was the first woman to be elected to serve as President of South African Student Rowing, in which position she coordinated and ran all Student rowing events and clubs in the country.

Upon graduating with undergraduate and graduate Law degrees, Michelle's passion for the sport of rowing led her to Britain where she rowed extensively and earned her Amateur Rowing Association Coaching credentials and coached 2 college crew teams at Oxford University.

After leaving Britain Michelle came Falls Church Virginia, where she coached the Lake Braddock Freshman/Novice girls to an undefeated season in 2001. She then took on the position of Graduate Assistant Coach and Later Novice/Freshman coach at Southern Methodist University, where she coached for almost 3 years.

In 2006 Michelle began coaching at Lake Brantley High School, where she was Head Coach of the Boys High School team. During her 2 seasons at Lake Brantley they won a State Championship title for the Lightweight 4+. Michelle took a break from rowing to focus on her family and taught for Orange County High School for 8 years.

In 2019 she stepped back into the rowing world, taking on the role of Head Coach of the Winter Park Middle School Crew Program. She later became Head Coach at Lyman Rowing, which expanded to Seminole County Area Rowing in the 2021-2022 season. She's led the team to numerous victories, including a State Championship for the Womens Junior 2x ad a National Championship for the Womens Varsity 1x.

Michelle is married to Kitt, a Football Coach and teacher at Winter Park High School. Together they have two daughters.

Alex Morris
Development & Assistant Coach

Alexandra's rowing journey began in Summer 2015 with the Lyman Rowing Association. She competed in the Junior 8+ at the FSRA State Sweep championships, winning first scholastically and second overall. She also competed in the prestigious Stonebury Cup in Philadelphia, winning first in state, and wrapped up her high school rowing career with a first place win at the FSRA Sculling Championships.

 

As senior co-captain, Alexandra earned the Team Spirit Golden Oar (team dominated) and Hammer awards (fastest rower) and thirty-six medals overall. She was recruited to UCF's D1 women's rowing team, where she competed in stroke seat, leading her boat to gold with a commanding 30-second victory. 

 

Alexandra graduated from UCF in Spring 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in General Psychology and a minor in Early Childhood Development and Education.

 

Her coaching experience includes Lyman Rowing Association and South Orlando Rowing Association middle school programs.

 

Now back where her journey began, she's excited to develop the next generation of Seminole County rowers.