MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin women's rowing is proud to welcome former UW rower and experienced collegiate rowing coach Merritt Denham to its staff as a novice/first-year coach. 

"We are so excited for Merritt to be joining our staff starting this fall 2025 season," Wisconsin Women's Rowing Head Coach Vicky Opitz said. "She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experiences that will help guide our first-year rowers as they embark on their rowing journeys. Merritt's confidence, kindness, grit and strong work ethic are a great combination of what it means to be a Wisconsin Badger."

Denham rowed for the Badgers from 2012-16, helping various crews to top-three finishes at the Big Ten Championships, including rowing for the second-place novice eight in 2013, the third-place second varsity four in 2014 and the third-place third varsity four in 2016. In 2016, she was named the female recipient of Wisconsin Athletics' Unsung Hero Award before graduating in 2017. 

The Winnetka, Illinois, native returns to Wisconsin after most recently working with Syracuse University's women's rowing program as an assistant coach starting in December 2024. Before joining Syracuse, Denham was an assistant coach at Dartmouth for three seasons, where she coached the Big Green's third and fourth varsity eight groups.

"I'm thrilled with the opportunity to return to Madison and be a part of Wisconsin Rowing once again, Denham said. "This program has done so much for me, and I'm very excited to get started!"