Completed Event: Rowing versus Head of the Oklahoma on October 4, 2025
Final
Rowing
vs Head of the Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma Athletics
OU Rowing Hires Trio To Complete Staff
August 18, 2021 | Rowing
NORMAN – Oklahoma head rowing coach Leeanne Crain announced the addition of three assistant coaches to her staff Wednesday in Natasia Giles, Nicholas D'Imperio and Dinah Harjo. Giles will also serve as the Sooners' recruiting coordinator.
"I'm thrilled to have such a talented group of coaches joining our staff," said Crain. "Each brings a unique skill set that will enhance our program and foster the development of our athletes at every level. I'm excited to introduce them to the team and looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the coming season."
Giles spent the previous four years with the University of Iowa, serving as an assistant coach. She helped lead the Hawkeyes to two top-15 NCAA team finishes and aided in the development of three All-Americans.
"Natasia has coached at two premier rowing programs and brings great experience to the position," Crain said. "She will head our recruiting efforts and has a good understanding of the importance of recruiting athletes with the talent and character that align with our program's core values."
Prior to her time in Iowa City, Giles served as a graduate assistant (2016-17) and volunteer assistant (2014-15) at the University of Texas. The Longhorns secured three top-eight team finishes at the NCAA Championships, including a fourth-place showing in 2017.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to work with Coach Crain and to contribute to the program she's built here at Oklahoma," said Giles. "I am also grateful to be joining such a passionate and welcoming OU family."
During her tenure on staff with the Longhorns, Giles aided in the development of six All-Americans and was a member of the 2015 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) National Coaching Staff of the Year. A rower for the Longhorns on four consecutive Big 12 championship teams, she graduated from UT in 2012 and 2017.
D'Imperio joins OU after two years as an assistant coach for the Y Quad Cities junior rowing program in Moline, Ill. He managed the training programs, which included in-person and isolated workouts. At the 2021 Midwest Regional Championship, the Y Quad Cities program captured 13 victories, completing a clean sweep of the events the program entered.
Following their performance at the regional championships, D'Imperio coached the junior women's quad to a national championship at the Youth National Regatta in Sarasota, Fla., while also coaching the second-place quartet.
Prior to his time in the Quad Cities, he served as an assistant coach for the University of Virginia for two seasons, and the Rivanna Rowing Club as the head master's coach. D'Imperio was responsible for the retention and training of walk-on athletes. In both seasons on staff, he coached two second-place finishes at the American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) Championships.
"Nick is coming to us from Y Quad Cities, where he coached the junior women to multiple podium finishes," stated Crain. "He's disciplined and focused, energetic and enthusiastic – all great qualities that will help to foster the growth and development of our student-athletes."
No stranger to the Oklahoma City area, D'Imperio served as the men's graduate assistant coach at Oklahoma City University from 2014-16. During his tenure, the Stars qualified their first eight for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Championship.
He also aided the Penn State men's and women's novice teams for one year following his collegiate career on the Penn State club team from 2009-13.
"I'm excited to return to the Sooner State and for the opportunity to represent the University of Oklahoma," said D'Imperio. "I believe there is a ton of potential for the program and I'm excited to work with the rest of the staff and athletes on tapping into it."
Harjo previously served as the Riversport Foundation Rowing Operations Manager and novice and varsity girls coach in Oklahoma City. She was responsible for the development of both junior and master rowers, while overseeing the various team's schedule and travel.
Most recently, she helped coach three top-20 finishes at the 2021 USRowing Youth Nationals.
"Dinah grew up in Norman so she understands what it means to represent this great university," said Crain. "She's had a successful career coaching the OKC juniors and I'm excited that she's decided to transfer her talents to OU."
Harjo also served as a graduate assistant coach for the Oklahoma City University women's and men's rowing teams from 2013-14. Her primary focus was coaching the novice women's teams, while helping build the largest women's roster in OCU program history.
"I am very excited for this tremendous opportunity to be on staff and coach for the Oklahoma women's rowing team," said Harjo. "It's a special time to be a part of college women's rowing, as it is one of the fastest growing women's sports in the NCAA. What better place to be than OU? I am looking forward to working with our talented athletes and coaches who will continue to push Oklahoma women's rowing to new heights."
Harjo was a four-year member of the Oklahoma City women's rowing team from 2007-11 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology.
"I'm thrilled to have such a talented group of coaches joining our staff," said Crain. "Each brings a unique skill set that will enhance our program and foster the development of our athletes at every level. I'm excited to introduce them to the team and looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the coming season."
Giles spent the previous four years with the University of Iowa, serving as an assistant coach. She helped lead the Hawkeyes to two top-15 NCAA team finishes and aided in the development of three All-Americans.
"Natasia has coached at two premier rowing programs and brings great experience to the position," Crain said. "She will head our recruiting efforts and has a good understanding of the importance of recruiting athletes with the talent and character that align with our program's core values."
Prior to her time in Iowa City, Giles served as a graduate assistant (2016-17) and volunteer assistant (2014-15) at the University of Texas. The Longhorns secured three top-eight team finishes at the NCAA Championships, including a fourth-place showing in 2017.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to work with Coach Crain and to contribute to the program she's built here at Oklahoma," said Giles. "I am also grateful to be joining such a passionate and welcoming OU family."
During her tenure on staff with the Longhorns, Giles aided in the development of six All-Americans and was a member of the 2015 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) National Coaching Staff of the Year. A rower for the Longhorns on four consecutive Big 12 championship teams, she graduated from UT in 2012 and 2017.
D'Imperio joins OU after two years as an assistant coach for the Y Quad Cities junior rowing program in Moline, Ill. He managed the training programs, which included in-person and isolated workouts. At the 2021 Midwest Regional Championship, the Y Quad Cities program captured 13 victories, completing a clean sweep of the events the program entered.
Following their performance at the regional championships, D'Imperio coached the junior women's quad to a national championship at the Youth National Regatta in Sarasota, Fla., while also coaching the second-place quartet.
Prior to his time in the Quad Cities, he served as an assistant coach for the University of Virginia for two seasons, and the Rivanna Rowing Club as the head master's coach. D'Imperio was responsible for the retention and training of walk-on athletes. In both seasons on staff, he coached two second-place finishes at the American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) Championships.
"Nick is coming to us from Y Quad Cities, where he coached the junior women to multiple podium finishes," stated Crain. "He's disciplined and focused, energetic and enthusiastic – all great qualities that will help to foster the growth and development of our student-athletes."
No stranger to the Oklahoma City area, D'Imperio served as the men's graduate assistant coach at Oklahoma City University from 2014-16. During his tenure, the Stars qualified their first eight for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Championship.
He also aided the Penn State men's and women's novice teams for one year following his collegiate career on the Penn State club team from 2009-13.
"I'm excited to return to the Sooner State and for the opportunity to represent the University of Oklahoma," said D'Imperio. "I believe there is a ton of potential for the program and I'm excited to work with the rest of the staff and athletes on tapping into it."
Harjo previously served as the Riversport Foundation Rowing Operations Manager and novice and varsity girls coach in Oklahoma City. She was responsible for the development of both junior and master rowers, while overseeing the various team's schedule and travel.
Most recently, she helped coach three top-20 finishes at the 2021 USRowing Youth Nationals.
"Dinah grew up in Norman so she understands what it means to represent this great university," said Crain. "She's had a successful career coaching the OKC juniors and I'm excited that she's decided to transfer her talents to OU."
Harjo also served as a graduate assistant coach for the Oklahoma City University women's and men's rowing teams from 2013-14. Her primary focus was coaching the novice women's teams, while helping build the largest women's roster in OCU program history.
"I am very excited for this tremendous opportunity to be on staff and coach for the Oklahoma women's rowing team," said Harjo. "It's a special time to be a part of college women's rowing, as it is one of the fastest growing women's sports in the NCAA. What better place to be than OU? I am looking forward to working with our talented athletes and coaches who will continue to push Oklahoma women's rowing to new heights."
Harjo was a four-year member of the Oklahoma City women's rowing team from 2007-11 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology.
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