Kara McKowan joined the Seattle University women's rowing team as a volunteer coach in winter 2012.
McKowan began rowing as a junior at Sammamish Rowing Association before attending Boston University from 2000-2004. Kara rowed all four years at Boston, attending NCAAs in 2001 as a member of the Varsity 4+ and in 2003 as a member of the Varsity 8+. Co-captain of the Women’s Varsity squad her junior and senior year, Kara was awarded MVP and named to the NCAA All-America second team her senior year. After graduation in 2004, Kara traveled for her last race with Boston University at the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, England.
Along with her coaching duties at Seattle U, Kara currently coaches the Novice Jr. Women and assists with the Evening Competitive Masters team at Sammamish Rowing Association in Redmond, Wash.