UVA Alum Returns to Virginia as Assistant Coach
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Former Virginia standout Helen (Tompkins) Samaniego has been named assistant coach for the Virginia rowing program, head coach Wes Ng announced Friday (July 19).
Samaniego, who competed at Virginia from 2006-10, arrives in Charlottesville after serving as an assistant coach this past season at NCAA champion Texas and the previous two seasons under Ng at the University of Pennsylvania. She helped the Quakers to the first two full-team appearances at the NCAA Championships in program history. In 2023, Penn finished sixth overall at the national regatta, a program-best result, after placing 11th in 2022.
A native of Friendswood, Texas, the former Helen Tompkins graduated from the UVA with a double major in foreign affairs and studio art. As a senior in 2010, Samaniego rowed in the Varsity Eight to help the Cavaliers capture the first NCAA team championship in program history. That year, she was named a CRCA Second-Team All-American and All-ACC first-team selection after helping the Varsity Eight place second in the national regatta grand final and was a part of the boat the earned ACC Crew of the Year honors.
“The stars aligned for me to work for Wes at Virginia,” Samaniego said. “Wes has shown remarkable compassion and leadership to me at Penn and as my coach at the 2013 World Championships. Working for Wes combined with coaching for my alma mater is a dream come true.”
Prior to her time at Penn, Samaniego spent three years as an assistant coach at Lower Merion High School while also serving time as the women’s head coach at the Conshohocken Rowing Center and the master’s rowing coach with the Vesper Boat Club.
Samaniego competed as an elite rower for 11 years, twice earning selection to the USRowing senior national team and three times as a member of the U23 national team. She retired from competitive rowing following the 2021 Olympic Trials. She won silver in the women’s lightweight quad at the 2013 World Rowing Championships and placed fourth in the single sculls at the 2012 USRowing Olympic Trials.
“Something is fantastic about this homecoming for Helen, UVA Class of 2010 and NCAA champion,” Ng said. “Helen and I had a chance to work together at the 2013 World Rowing Championships and the University of Pennsylvania in 2023. I greatly respect her approach to rowing, her excellent track record of success, and her deep passion for this sport. Precious few coaches have won the NCAAs as an athlete (2010) and as an assistant coach (2024). As a world-class sculler and lifelong learner in the sport, I’m excited for Helen to help lead our small boat skill development and help future Hoos experience the same success and journey she did. Simply put, Helen knows what it takes to win!”