Navy Lightweight Crew

Navy Heavyweight Officer Representatives

Varsity Officer Rep: LT Kris Stonaker, USN

Born and raised in Dallas, TX, LT Stonaker entered the Naval Academy in 1994. After rowing on the heavyweight squad his freshman year, LT Stonaker joined the lightweight crew and earned a seat in the varsity eight each of his final three years.

After graduating in 1998 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, LT Stonaker entered the Naval Aviation training pipeline. He was eventually stationed in Jacksonville, FL at HSL-42 to fly the SH-60B Seahawk. His first deployment came just days after 9-11-01. His helicopter detachment deployed to the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Arabian Gulf to support the UN sanctions against Iraq. During his second deployment, LT Stonaker was involved in counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean.

Upon returning to USNA in 2004, LT Stonaker obtained his masters degree through the USNA LEAD Program and now serves as a Naval Leadership instructor.

Plebe Officer Rep: LT Ryan Ventresca, USN

Originally from Philadelphia, PA, LT Ventresca rowed lightweight for LaSalle College High School. Upon graduation in 1995, LT Ventresca attended the University of Delaware, where he was a member of the lightweight crew. After graduation in 1999, LT Ventresca entered Officer Candidate School at Naval Air Station, Pensacola. Upon being commissioned in May 2000, LT Ventresca entered Surface Warfare Officer School class 137 at Naval Station, Newport.

LT Ventresca’s sea tours include Damage Control Assistant onboard USS HAWES (FFG 53), where he earned his Officer of the Deck, Surface Warfare Officer and Engineering Officer of the Watch qualifications. During his tour aboard HAWES he deployed to the Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of Operations DETERMINED RESPONSE and ENDURING FREEDOM. In December 2002 he detached USS HAWES and reported aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) as G-4 Division Gunner. Onboard GW he qualified Officer of the Deck (Deep Draft) and stood additional flight deck watches. During his tour onboard GEORGE WASHINGTON LT Ventresca deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

In June 2004 LT Ventresca reported to the U.S. Naval Academy as a Seamanship and Navigation instructor. He is married to the former LT Christine Monahan, USN, of Suwanee, GA.