Mercedes was introduced to rowing as an 8th grader in 1998. Her passion for the sport grew while rowing for Coach Jon Schildknecht in her first two seasons.  In her second season with Jon her Freshman 8 boat went undefeated. Mercedes spent the next three years rowing for Coach Steve Weir on the Lightweight 8. This boat went undefeated as well during her sophomore season.

Due to rowing with talented crews under strong coaching guidance, Mercedes earned numerous medals and awards, including five golds at the Northern Virginia Championship Regatta, three golds and a bronze at Stotesbury, one gold and one bronze at the SRAA Nationals, and one gold and two bronze at the Canadian National Championships. In her senior year she was Washington Post All-Met, All-Virginia, and was given the TC Williams Coaches' Award. 

After receiving her Bachelors of Architecture from Virginia Tech in 2008, she began working for a firm in Old Town (conveniently located just 100 steps from the boathouse...).  After cranking out her work days in the office or in a hard hat on-site, she finds happiness, balance, and great fulfillment in spending the remainder of each day coaching.
 
Mercedes is honored to be named Head Coach of the TC Girls Crew team.  She relishes the opportunity and will put every effort into bringing success to the team she loves.