Kristina Latta-Landefeld

August 4 , 2006

GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith Director of Athletics Deb Steward recently announced the appointment of Kristina Latta-Landefeld to serve as an assistant coach for the Heron crew team. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Latta-Landefeld also will work for the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Residential Life Staff as an area coordinator, supervising residential advisors in the Colleges’ dormitories.

“Kristina is a perfect fit for the Colleges and for this dual position,” Steward said. “She understands a liberal arts education, has tremendous passion for rowing, and has sharpened her leadership skills in her role as a head resident at Smith College.”

William Smith Crew Head Coach Sandra Chu added, “From the moment I met Kristina, I was impressed by her maturity and her obvious desire to be excellent in all she does. As a rower at the highest level of Division III, she will bring a competitive spirit and immense love of the sport to the Heron crew. I’m looking forward to her contributions to the team’s success.”

A 2006 graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Mass., Latta-Landefeld earned a bachelor’s degree in government. An accomplished rower, Latta-Landefeld was a two-time All-New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) selection. During her four seasons on campus, the Pioneers won three NEWMAC Championships, the 2004 ECAC Championship, and earned three consecutive NCAA Championship berths, including second place finishes in 2004 and 2005. Latta-Landefeld was a two-year member of the Smith Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and represented the College on the NEWMAC SAAC.

Latta-Landefeld spent the past two summers rowing with the New York Athletic Club’s pre-elite program.

On top of her studies and athletic commitments, Latta-Landefeld was the head resident at Smith during her senior year, in charge of policy, programming, and the general well-being of 52 students. She is trained to deal with conflict resolution, issues of diversity, and alcohol and drug abuse.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Latta-Landefeld has worked as a coach for the Toledo Metropolitan Rowing Club, overseeing a coed program for students from high schools that don’t have rowing programs. She also practiced with the Toledo Rowing Club for three years, in addition to rowing as a student-athlete at St. Ursula Academy.

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