The Langley Crew Coaching Staff

Kevin Bedell

Kevin Bedell began his rowing career in 1981 at Yorktown High School in Arlington, rowing the same races Langley rows today. He rowed four years at Harvard on the Lightweight squad, which included one undefeated, Eastern Sprints-winning campaign. After college, he won multiple regional, national, and international titles, including U.S. Rowing national championships, the Canadian Henley, and Heads of the Potomac and Occoquan. He represented the United States at international regattas, including the World Championships, in single and double scull events. He also raced successfully at major regattas such as the Head of the Charles (where he has finished in every position from 2nd to 10th), the Crash-B Sprints, and the Stotesbury Cup. After retiring from elite competition, Kevin was recruited into a loose group of masters that races occasionally and sometimes would practice against college kids just because they could. He still rows regularly.

In addition to his own rowing, Kevin has coached at the collegiate level, and worked with other rowers trying to improve their skills. He is the father of two Langley students. Several years ago, one of his neighbors, who has a child on the crew team, figured out Kevin knew something about rowing, which eventually led to Kevin showing up for a Langley practice and re-discovering that he gets enthused by helping students become better rowers.

Lauren Evans, Women's Varsity Coach

Lauren Evans has been coaching for Langley since 2016. Over the years, she has spent time coaching varsity, JV, freshmen, and lightweight women to both state medals and championships.

She started her rowing career in high school as a lightweight rower in Richmond, VA. After many successful seasons earning medals at regionals, states, and being in the final at Nationals, she continued her rowing career with George Mason University's Division I women's team. She rowed varsity at GMU for two years, racing at Head of the Charles and placing silver at Dad Vail. Since rowing in college, she has turned her attention to powerlifting and loves spending her time teaching girls how to be confident in the weight room.

Outside of rowing, Coach Lauren holds a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology and works in human services and criminal justice.

Ben Young, Men's Varsity Head Coach

Peter Kristensen - Assistant Coach

Peter began coaching for Langley in 2019, and coaches newer members of the Men's team, primarily freshmen and novices.  

Peter came to Langley High School as a sophomore and rowed for Langley all three years. He also rowed for Resilient Rowing Club over the summer and fall all three years of high school. Peter graduated from Langley in 2018, then went on to attend the University of Mary Washington where, as a freshman, he helped bring home a gold medal from the Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference Championships for the first time in over 10 years, stroking their Freshman 4. He graduated UMW with a degree in Business Administration in 2022.

Peter's favorite part of coaching is that it allows him to share his love of and knowledge about rowing while helping to influence the students in life. 

Justin Bales - Assistant Coach

Justin is a member of Langley's Class of 2017. He rowed for Langley all four years of high school, so he's very familiar with the Langley Crew program. Justin is a Navy engineer who Worcester Polytechnic Institute, rowing in college from 2009 through 2012.

Justin began coaching in 2022. He is looking forward to passing on his knowledge and experience, and his belief that rowing is the last great team sport, where there are no superstars and everyone succeeds as a group.