Nielsen joined the William Smith rowing coaching staff during the 2021-22 academic year.
Nielsen is a 2020 graduate of Michigan State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication while earning four varsity letters as a member of the Spartans’ rowing team. Nielsen walked on to the team as a novice and finished her first-year in the second varsity eight at the Big Ten Championships. As a sophomore, she earned Academic All-Big Ten, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, and CRCA National Scholar-Athlete recognition while competing in the stroke seat of the second varsity eight. Nielsen raced in the varsity eight as a junior, repeating her Academic All-Big Ten honors. As a senior, she once again received Academic All-Big Ten, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and CRCA National Scholar-Athlete awards.
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Nielsen began her coaching career at MSU, serving as an interim coach during the summer of 2020. She assisted with the Michigan State summer rowing program and also managed daily training plans for the MSU novice team for a month during a change in coaching staff. Nielsen has also served as a volunteer coach with the Pensacola Rowing Club.
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