ATHERTON, CA — The Menlo College Weightlifting program enters the season with a driven and experienced coaching staff, led by Head Coach Kevin Doherty and newly added Associate Head Coach Jared Ambrosio. With a blend of competitive knowledge, coaching expertise, and dedicated mentorship, the staff is committed to guiding the team toward new achievements on the platform and beyond.

Doherty Returns for Year 3
Head Coach Kevin Doherty brings Olympic-level coaching experience and a lifelong commitment to athlete growth as he leads Menlo Weightlifting into another season. A 2016 Olympic Coach for Team USA and one of the most respected figures in the sport, Doherty has dedicated his career to growing weightlifting while mentoring athletes to reach their highest potential.

His coaching journey has taken him across the world from developing Olympians representing three different countries to leading American athletes at seven Senior World Championships. Along the way, his excellence has been recognized with honors such as the 2018 USA Weightlifting Women's Coach of the Year. For Doherty, however, the true measure of success has always been about athlete development and creating opportunities for lifters to excel.

That philosophy is now at the heart of Menlo Weightlifting. Looking ahead, Doherty shared, "Looking forward to a continued development of the current team as well as our four phenomenal recruits! We have taken the next step as a program and look forward to showing that throughout the season and at Nationals!" Under his guidance, the Oaks are positioned to rise on the national stage and build a lasting culture of excellence.

 

Ambrosio Embraces New Role
After a standout career as an Oak, Jared Ambrosio returns to Menlo College this season as Associate Head Coach for weightlifting. A graduate of Menlo and a cornerstone of the program since its inception, Ambrosio helped establish the foundation of Menlo Weightlifting as an athlete and now continues that impact as a coach.

During his career, Ambrosio became the heart and soul of the program, known for his resilience, discipline, and ability to lead by example. He represented Menlo on some of the sport's biggest stages including University Nationals, the American Open Series, and the Evo Sports Expo. He capped his success in the spring of 2025 when he was honored as Oak Squad Athlete of the Year, an award given to the individual who brought success to their club sport team and their intercollegiate athletic program.

Now, as Associate Head Coach, Ambrosio carries forward the same qualities that defined him as an athlete, to guide the next generation of Menlo lifters. Reflecting on his coaching philosophy, Ambrosio shared, "For Olympic Weightlifting, the habits of today can become the detriments of tomorrow. Us weightlifters critique the same three lifts, over and over again, with the expectation of glory with each new attempt. Repetition breeds success." His journey from standout Oak to coach reflects the spirit of Menlo Weightlifting, ensuring the program's culture of excellence will not only continue but reach new heights in the seasons to come.

 

A Staff Built for Success
Guided by Doherty's international expertise and Ambrosio's Oak-built leadership, Menlo Weightlifting enters the new season with a staff that blends world-class experience with homegrown passion. Together, they bring a vision that prepares the Oaks to compete on the national stage while strengthening the culture that defines Menlo Athletics.