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Brooke Wolford Hired as Mercer Varsity Girls Head Coach

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PNRA/Mercer announced that Brooke Wolford has accepted the position of Mercer Varsity Girls Head Coach. Brooke has resided in the Princeton area for the past several years while training at the Caspersen Rowing Center with the US National Team and was a member of Team USA at the 2022 World Rowing Coastal Championships in Saundersfoot, Great Britain

Brooke started her athletic career at the age of 5 as a swimmer and water polo player. She continued with both sports into college where she swam and played water polo at Santa Rosa Junior College in California. Brooke did not begin rowing until her 4th year of college at Sonoma State University where she quickly excelled and was later offered a scholarship to row at the University of Central Oklahoma. At UCO, she helped the team earn a first ever team bid to the 2015 NCAA Championships and a 2nd place overall in 2016 at NCAAs.

Brooke graduated from UCO with a degree in Psychology and moved to Philadelphia to row with Vesper Boat Club where she competed for 3 years as a member of their High Performance team. Brooke was invited to the 2019 quad camp held at the Caspersen Rowing Center and began training full time at the national training center. Last year, Brooke was an Assistant Coach with the Mercer Varsity Boys team, and most recently, she competed at the 2022 World Rowing Coastal Endurance Championships in Saundersfoot, Great Britain.

Mercer Rowing Program Director, Hilary Gehman stated: “I am thrilled to welcome Brooke to the Mercer coaching staff. She is a tremendous role model for the Mercer girls and I am excited to see the impact she will have on the team this spring season. I’d also like to recognize the huge contributions of Sam Altier as he led the program all fall as Interim Head Coach. We have a great team of coaches at Mercer!”

Brooke will begin full time with the Varsity Girls in early January. Sam Altier will assist with the coaching transition and remain on the girls coaching staff throughout the winter and spring.

PNRA/Mercer Hires Sarah Trowbridge as Junior Women’s Varsity Head Coach

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Sarah Trowbridge, a 6 time national team member and 2012 Olympian, will be the next Mercer Junior Women’s Varsity Head Coach. Trowbridge will replace Matt Carlsen who accepted an Assistant Coach position with the Duke University women’s rowing team.

“I’m very excited to join the Mercer Juniors’ coaching staff and to contribute to such a long standing successful program,” said Trowbridge. “The combination of an excited and passionate group of athletes, an engaged community of families, and the supportive staff, make me thrilled to work with this team!”

Trowbridge has an extensive coaching career spanning the last 15 years which includes collegiate positions with Georgetown University (Lightweight Women’s Assistant Coach), Yale University (Women’s Assistant Coach) and most recently the Head Women’s Coach at the University of San Diego. Trowbridge was the Elite Program Head Coach at Vesper Boat Club in Philadelphia as well the coach of the US Women’s Lightweight Double (bronze medal, 2019 World Championships) and US Women’s Double (6th place at the 2016 Rio Olympics, bronze and silver medals respectively at the 2018 and 2019 World Championships). As a member of 6 senior national teams, Trowbridge has won medals in both sculling and sweep at World Championship events.

Mercer Rowing Program Director, Hilary Gehman stated: “I am so pleased to welcome Sarah to the Mercer coaching staff. She is one of the most well respected coaches in the country and we are extremely lucky to have her join the Mercer community. Her competitive success as an athlete and coach are impressive credentials, but her passion for the sport and for developing each athlete to their potential is what makes Sarah truly stand out. She will be a tremendous asset to the Mercer Junior program.”

Trowbridge graduated from the University of Michigan and currently resides in Rocky Hill with her husband, Bryan Volpenhein and their two children.

Update to Winter Workout Hours

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There will be NO workout hours at the boathouse or warehouse tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 30. All other workout hours are the same as previously posted (open to current Mercer rowers and Mercer alumni):

Monday, Dec 30: closed

Tuesday, Dec. 31: Warehouse 9 am – noon

Wednesday, Jan 1: closed

Thursday, Jan 2: Warehouse 9 am – noon

Friday, Jan 3: Warehouse 9 am – noon

Saturday, Jan 4: BH 9 am – noon

Sunday, Jan 5: BH 10 am – 12:30 pm

Happy New Year!

Mercer Fall Classic

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This past Sunday, November 3rd, PNRA/Mercer hosted the inaugural Mercer Fall Classic, which consisted of a forty-five hundred meter head race in the morning and a two thousand meter sprint in the afternoon. The morning was crisp and sunny for the head races that went off without a hitch. As the day continued, the wind picked up and created challenging conditions for the afternoon’s sprint races. Though the wind was strong, the race officials were able to get all the boats aligned and safely down the course. All coaches were satisfied with the results posted. With Mercer Fall Classic concluding the fall racing season, we’re onto winter season.

Head of the Schuylkill Information

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Hello,

Below you will find some additional information about the Head of the Schuylkill on Sunday, October 27:

Lineups: please check this google sheet for boat lineups and race times (check back soon for varsity girls lineups).  ARRIVAL TIMES TO THE VENUE ARE ALSO LISTED HERE.

Trip Fee: if you have not yet paid, please do so here.

Drop-off/Pick-up and Parking:  The Head of the Schuylkill is technically an away regatta, but parents and athletes are required to get themselves to the course. Please refer to the lineups google sheet above for specific arrival times to the trailer for each race. There is no access to Kelly Drive without a parking pass and we do not have enough passes for all parents. It is HIGHLY encouraged that you utilize the off-site parking ($15/day) and the FREE shuttle when dropping off your son or daughter. Even if you are not planning to stay and don’t want to pay to park, the free shuttle will be much easier and safer than trying to navigate the road closures. The exact location of the trailer will be sent out late Friday evening. Please review the venue map here. Please allow plenty of time to get to the trailer. Please plan to be at the venue for most of the day. The athletes will need to get the boats loaded onto the trailer after the race before they are allowed to leave the venue. Please check with your coach if you have specific time constraints.

Racing:  This is a head race. That means the boats are coming down the course one at a time, with about 15 seconds separating them, rather than spread across in lanes. The google sheet (link above) will have bow numbers updated as soon as they are released as well as posted on the Parents of MJRC Facebook page. Please check on race day as there are sometimes scratches or changes that affect bow numbers. Once the racing is over, please wait until you hear from your athlete before you pick him/her up. The athletes will need to de-rig the boats and load them back on the trailer before they are allowed to leave, which does take some time.  The coaches ask that you not hang around the trailers while the athletes are working, but rather wait until you hear from them.

Spectator Information:  We will have the NEW Mercer tent set up for this event. We will need some help setting the tent up on Sunday morning! The location of the tent will be somewhere along the shore near the trailer (which will be posted Friday evening). We don’t have a specific food/drink signup for this, but if anyone wants to bring bars, healthy snacks for the athletes, please feel free! There is also a covered grandstand located at roughly the half way point of the race. Please don’t use the trailer as your race-watching spot as this is for coaches and athletes only.

Miscellaneous:  The Head of the Schuylkill is a large regatta, with many clubs competing in events throughout the day.  There will be a lot of exciting racing, but it will also be very crowded.  Please pack some food, water, and extra gear for your athletes!  There are water fill stations located throughout the venue, and some vendors at the course, but it’s best to come prepared.

Weather: Forecast is calling for rain which means the venue will be wet and muddy. Please be sure athletes have rain gear and BOOTS. Also, please have the athletes bring extra clothes to change into after racing to de-rig and load the trailer (put a bag of clothes in a trash bag so it doesn’t get wet).

Regatta Website: http://hosr.org/. This has information on parking, directions to the venue, spectating, etc.

Good luck to all boats!

Go Mercer!

Head of the Schuylkill Travel Roster and Information

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Head of the Schuylkill 2019

Hi Everyone!

Next weekend the Mercer Juniors will be competing at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta!

Please remember all races for Juniors are on Sunday!

Make sure that you bring clothes for any and all weather (including warm clothes and rain gear)! Make sure you have your racing unisuit (or shirt and black/navy short trau if you are a Novice).

TRAVEL ROSTER: Please click HERE for the travel roster for the weekend.

TRIP FEE: The fee for the regatta is $38. Please click HERE to pay.

Please remember that athletes need to make their own way to and from the regatta. Link in with other athletes who are travelling to the regatta to car pool if need be.

More Information: Please see the link HERE (https://hosr.org/) to the Regatta website!

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Coach!

GO MERCER!!

Head of the Housatonic – Travel Rosters and Trip Fee on Thursday

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Greetings,

The travel roster for Head of the Housatonic will be available by tomorrow (Thursday) after practice HERE. (Note: the novice girls travel roster is complete).

The Trip Fee for the race will be $210 and will be available to pay on Thursday HERE.

We will be sending a more detailed blog post early next week with more information, but here is some general information if you plan to attend.

Go Mercer!

Patagonia Orders – Mercer Athletes Only

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Hi Everyone!

Order forms for the (optional) Mercer Patagonia gear are now available! These items are limited to current Mercer athletes (juniors and Masters) only – not for friends and family.

Forms can be printed HERE to complete your order.

Please note there are two pages, with the Total Price for the entire order included on the second page.

ORDER FORMS AND PAYMENT (CASH OR CHECK ONLY) MUST BE RETURNED TO COACH JULES BY END OF VARSITY PRACTICE (6:45pm), TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER.

Checks can be made payable to Princeton National Rowing Association.

Late orders can not be accepted, nor can orders be submitted to Coach Jules without payment.

Please note that all Patagonia clothing is optional.

Please contact Coach Jules (jhowarth@rowpnra.org) with any questions!

Mercer Gear Available to Order NOW

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The PNRA Mercer Regatta Sports online team store is now open! On the team store, you can use your own credit card to order team uniform items as well as training gear.

The store will be open for ONE WEEK ONLY – opening today, Wednesday 18 September and closing at 9pm on Wednesday 25 September.

You must submit your order within this time frame.

To access the team store follow the steps from Regatta Sport in the PDF here.

If you have any questions, please contact your team administrator: Coach Jules (jhowarth@rowpnra.org)

Mercer Junior Rowers Excel at Youth National Championships

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For immediate release

June 13, 2019

West Windsor, NJ – The Mercer Youth Men’s 4 with coxswain (4+) finished second in the country at the USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida held June 6-9, 2019. PNRA/Mercer had impressive results over the course of the 4 day championship and tied for second among all programs, with six crews finishing in the top 10. A total of nine boats and 39 athletes competed in the national championship held at the Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida.

“Nationals was a great experience and getting second in the nation was something truly special” said senior co-captain Brady Stergion (Notre Dame High School). “It’s moments like these that remind me how much effort those around me have put into that race, this season, and Mercer. I feel truly blessed to have been able to compete at the national level.” The other members of the boat include senior coxswain AnneMarie Huber (Stuart Academy of the Sacred Heart), senior co-captain Jack Gallagher (Council Rock North), and juniors Leon Deng (Princeton High School) and Grant Smith (Montgomery High School). The crew finished in a blazing fast time of 6:21.15, less than three tenths of a second behind first place.

Head Varsity Boys Coach Jamie Hamp, who just completed his first year at the helm of the Mercer Boys program, was pleased with the performance of all the Mercer boats. “We had a really young team this spring and definitely had a lot of work to do to get to where we are now. There are some moments we wish we could have back, but overall the boys had a great weekend and raced hard across all levels against the top boats and teams in the country. Everyone learned something from the regatta and I’m excited to see what these guys can do in the coming years.”

The Youth Women’s 8+ had a great regatta, winning both the time trial and their semi-final to race in the A Final. In one of the closest finishes of the event, they placed 4th in a time of 6:28.071 which was a mere .016 seconds behind the bronze medal boat. “Nationals was such an amazing experience this year,” said senior coxswain Helena Wolk (Princeton High School). “We had tight racing at the end, and while having such a close finish is disappointing when you don’t medal by .016 seconds, it was an awesome race and I know all 9 of us put it all out on the course. The entire girls’ team showed how deep the Mercer girls are and I’m so proud of how every boat placed.” In addition to Wolk, the lineup included junior Sophia Craver (Princeton High School), senior Sylvie Tuder (Princeton High School), junior Erin Heyeck (Pennington School), senior Catherine Dyevich (Princeton High School), senior Morgan Linsley (Princeton High School), senior Logan Sudholz (Pennridge High School), senior Caroline Gibson (Princeton High School), and junior Ava Wisnowski (Northern Burlington).

Matt Carlsen, in his third year as Head Coach of the Mercer Varsity Girls, was very pleased with the results from the season culminating national championship. “One of the goals for this year was to have one of the deepest teams in the country and I think after seeing our results from this past weekend, we achieved that goal.  We were the only girls team to send five boats, and all five of those boats finished within the top 20 nationally and that was with nobody double racing.  We would not have had the results we did this past weekend without all 46 varsity girls believing in what our end goals were and pushing each other every day from the start of the fall season to the end of spring season.  We also would not have been able to become the racers that we all saw over the weekend if we didn’t race the boy’s boats over the past few weeks. If we continue the momentum that we have built over the past year into next year, we will have another amazing year.”

PNRA/Mercer had two Youth Men’s pairs (2-) competing. Sophomores Andrew Griesinger (Princeton Day School) and Julian Thomas (Pennington School) placed second in the B Final for 8th in the country just ahead of teammates senior Spencer Stengle (Princeton High School) and junior John Mongelli (Hunterdon Central) who finished 10th. Griesinger and Thomas also doubled into the Youth Men’s 8+.

The Youth Women’s Lightweight 4+ placed 8th in the country with junior coxswain Emma Dziedzic (Robbinsville High School), senior Chloe Couillens (Hopewell Valley Central High), junior Riddhi Singh (Stanford Online High School), junior Cara Barkenbush (West Windsor-Plainsboro South), and junior Natalie Verlinde (Princeton High School).

The Youth Women’s 2- earned 9th place in the nation with sophomore Riley Cooper (Hunterdon Central High School) and junior Elyse Szych (North Hunterdon High School).

In the Youth Women’s 4+, the combination of junior coxswain Sunny Hu (Stuart Country Day School), senior co-captains Sarah Closser (Princeton High School) and Jacqueline Armetta (Villa Joseph Marie High School), junior Kristen Harkins (Notre Dame High School) and sophomore Eva Wojnovich (Council Rock North) placed 12th in the nation.

PNRA/Mercer raced the Youth Women’s Lightweight Double (2x) which is the first sculling boat the program has ever qualified for the Youth National Championship. The duo of juniors Eveline Enthoven (Princeton High School) and Abigail McAleer (Council Rock North) finished 4th in the C Final putting them 16th in the nation in that event.

The Youth Men’s 8 with coxswain (8+) placed 24th overall in a very deep field of competition. The boat included sophomore coxswain Kyle Rutter (West Windsor-Plainsboro South), sophomores Andrew Griesinger, Julian Thomas, Joseph DiRusso (Notre Dame High School), George Drago (Notre Dame High School), Thomas Closser (Princeton High School), Theodore Schneider (Pennsbury High School), Matthew Bigga (Montgomery High School), and senior Brian Radvany (Princeton Day School).

The Mercer junior summer program begins June 24 which is when the novice summer camps kick off as well. To learn more about rowing opportunities with the Mercer Juniors, please visit www.rowpnra.org.

Mercer Juniors Succeed at Saratoga Invite

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This past weekend, the Mercer Junior Rowing program took to the road and traveled to the Saratoga Invite. All in all, there were 75 athletes, 6 parent chaperones and 4 coaches who represented Mercer. The typical spring weather in Saratoga Springs, NY produced chilly and windy conditions on Saturday that resulted in changes to the race schedule. Read below for more details on each squad’s races:

Varsity Boys
The Varsity boys had a very successful weekend up at the Saratoga Springs Invitational and there was great racing across all levels, despite some challenges with the weather and schedule! On Saturday, the Varsity 8 got 2nd in the only 1500m race for Mercer that day. Soon after, all racing was moved to 1000m, and the 2V and 3V both raced in rough and windy conditions. The 2V came just short of beating Greenwich and got 3rd, while the 3V got 6th. Soon after the rest of the racing was cancelled for the day due to weather.

On Sunday, the boys again raced the 8s in the morning, with all 3 boats being in the Champ final. The Varsity and 2V both placed 3rd overall, only losing to Row America Rye and CRI, while the 3V again placed 6th. In the afternoon, the 1V4 placed 3rd, while the 2V4s placed 1st and 2nd and the 3V4 placed 3rd. The lightweight 4 placed 8th in a tough race in the Champ final. Overall, the team raced hard and had a very successful weekend, with many returning with multiple medals! The team now turns its attention to Mid-Atlantics held right here on Mercer Lake May 11-12.

Varsity Girls
Saturday was a DOOZY of a day.  We were able to get in three 1000m races before the weather cancelled the rest of the day.  The girls that did not race on Saturday got a solid workout in at the hotel to stay loose for Sunday’s finals.  On Sunday we were able to see how truly deep we are against some of the best teams in the country.  The results were very good across the board and every girl came home with at least one medal. We will continue to stay hungry and work hard to qualify boats for the Youth National Championships.

Saturday Results:
1st Varsity 4+ B- 3rd
1st Varsity 4+ A- 2nd
LTWT 4+ – 2nd

Sunday Results:
3rd Varsity 4+ A- 1st
3rd Varsity 4+ B- 1st
LTWT 4+ – 1st
2nd Varsity 4+ – 2nd
1st Varsity 4+ – 4th
1st Varsity 8+ – 3rd
2nd Varsity 8+ – 1st
3rd Varsity 8+ – 1st

Novice Boys
On Saturday, the novice boys were scheduled for the first flight of the Men’s Frosh/Novice Eight. When they arrived at the line, there was an abrupt change and they were forced to race in the second flight. Instead of getting flustered and letting the situation get the better of them, they dug in and won their first race of the weekend.

The following day, the novice boys were scheduled to race in the Men’s Novice Eight and afterwards split up the eight and race two fours in the Men’s Frosh/Novice four. Thankfully, both Sunday races were uneventful and they raced where they were supposed to. In the eight, our guys put up a good fight and pulled a third place. To wrap up the weekend, the guys raced two fours. Despite relative inexperience in the fours, they were both able to win their flights and receive their third medals of the weekend.

Novice Girls
While the novice girls were disappointed not to be able to race in the combined Freshman/Novice 8+ event on Saturday, they had a successful day on Sunday, each person returning home with at least one medal. They raced two Novice 4+s, one of which won their flight, as well as the 8+ in the Novice 8+ event (in which they placed second behind Greenwich, losing by half of the margin that they lost by at the scrimmage a couple weeks ago.) Other highlights included seeing Avengers: Endgame, some very large fluffy dogs, and a miniature horse (see photos below).

 

Saratoga Invitational Information

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Saratoga Invitational 2019

Hi everyone!

Congratulations to all the athletes who competed this weekend at Mercer Sprints!  The racing went off smoothly despite the weather and all the crews had great performances!

On Friday, April 26th, select varsity and novice athletes will depart for the Saratoga Invitational in Saratoga Springs, NY.  The tentative lineups can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VDOesZL_RWH3yoyhAIdsqnPriz_TvPST2VIxZmNXbs0/edit?usp=sharing

The link to pay for the trip is here.

We understand this is an expensive trip, but every athlete races multiple days. Please email Hilary at hgehman@rowpnra.org with any financial concerns.

If you are a parent who is attending the regatta to watch, please fill out this form here to help the parents coordinators plan for spectators and enhance your regatta experience.

Below is information about the event.

TRAVEL DETAILS:  

There will be one van per boat.  The novice coaches will be transporting their athletes; parent volunteers will be driving the varsity vans and serving as chaperones for the regatta.

Athletes should arrive at the boathouse at regular practice time on Friday. The vans will depart as soon as all athletes in the van have arrived. All athletes should remember they are representing Mercer and wear appropriate clothing, preferably with a Mercer logo. The athletes, coaches, and chaperones will be staying together at the Hilton Garden Inn in Saratoga Springs both Friday and Saturday night.  Racing is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. The vans will depart the course on Sunday around 5pm and return to the boathouse. Please note: all athletes are expected to remain at the course on Sunday until all Mercer crews are done racing! No vans will be departing until that time. ETA is expected to be 9-10pm, but please text your athletes for updates. Parent coordinators will also post in the parents Facebook group.

Hilton Garden Inn – Saratoga Springs

125 South Broadway

Saratoga Springs, NY  12866

FOOD:

Athletes should bring any extra snacks they want for the drives and weekend racing. For the drive up Friday, all athletes will be provided with a fruit cup and sandwich. Vans will stop at least once, but try to bring extra food to minimize stop times and keep the arrival in Saratoga as early as possible. Breakfast both Saturday and Sunday will be at the hotel, and lunch will be provided at the course both days at the Mercer Tent. Dinner will be catered at the hotel on Saturday night. Athletes will be given $15 cash to purchase dinner on their own at a rest stop on the way home Sunday.

RACE VENUE INFORMATION:

The trailer, tent, and launch area for the race is at Lee’s Park, adjacent to the course.  Parking is available for $15 per day. There will be a Mercer Tent for parents and lunch location. This is where everyone will gather for food and to cheer on the athletes, so if you are planning to attend, we look forward to seeing you there!  

Lee’s Park

1464 Route 9P

Saratoga Springs, NY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

In past years, the weather has often been cold, wet, and windy.  Athletes should pack extra layers and be prepared for all conditions.  Athletes may want to bring extra money for the regatta as well – many of them like to buy t-shirts.  If you have any questions, please contact either Jeb Barkenbush at jebarken@gmail.com, or Jen Closser at closserj@gmail.com.

GO MERCER!

Steve Neczypor Regatta Recap

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This past Saturday, April 6, the Mercer Juniors competed in the Steve Neczypor Regatta on the Cooper River in Cherry Hill, NJ. The highlight of the day include winning the Overall Team Points! Below is a recap from Head Varsity Boys Coach Jamie Hamp and Head Varsity Girls Coach Matt Carlsen.

Mercer Boys
The Varsity and novice boys all officially opened their seasons this past Saturday at the Steve Neczypor Regatta in Cherry Hill, NJ. After a few early morning showers, the sun came out and there was little to no wind for most of the day, making for a great day of racing! Thanks to all the parents who contributed food and helped make this day a success for all the Mercer teams!

The novice boys had a great first race for many of the rowers, as the 1st Novice 8 won its flight and the overall event, recording the fastest time of the day in the process. The 2nd novice 8 got 4th in their race with many first season novices.

The varsity boys raced tough from top to bottom and displayed the depth and fitness the team has been building this winter. The Lightweight 4+ placed 3rd in the final, just a second from 2nd, and the Varsity 4+ got silver in a tough race with Christian Brothers Academy. The team swept the three JV 4+ flights and had 3 of the 4 fastest times in the event, as well as the fastest time in the JV 8+, earning another overall event win. The 3rd varsity 8 had a great race and finished 3rd in their flight. In the last race of the day, the Varsity 8+ pulled out a hard fought win over Mountain Lakes, giving them their 3rd event win for the day. The boys came in second for the men’s points trophy and helped win the overall team points trophy with the Mercer girls successful day.

Mercer Girls
You never know what to expect in the first race of the Spring season, and this weekend was definitely a good starting point for our Spring season. We definitely showed our depth, and I am looking forward to finding more speed before our next races. The Varsity 8+ won their first race in the new boat – the Sean T. McCourt. We will be having a boat christening ceremony later this summer, stay tuned for more details on that.

Here are full results for the girls:

Women’s Novice 8+ 3rd in Flight 1
Women’s Novice 8+ 3rd in Flight 3
Women’s Novice 4+ 2nd in Flight 1
Women’s JV 4+ 1st place in flight 1 (fastest time of the day)- Winner of the Robin Jones Trophy
Women’s JV 4+ 1st place in flight 2
Women’s LTWT 4+ 1st place in Grand Final- Winner of the Cindy Sands Trophy
Women’s Varsity 4+ 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th in Grand Final- Winner of the Mike and Gabi Cipollone Trophy
Women’s JV 8+ 1st in Flight 2- Winner of the Margie Skinner Trophy
Women’s JV 8+ 4th in Flight 1
Women’s Varsity 8+ 1st, 2nd, 4th in Grand Final- Winner of the Leonard Insurance Group Trophy

Go Mercer!

Neczypor Regatta Information

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Good evening!

All 4 teams are starting off the season this Saturday at the Steve Neczypor regatta in Cherry Hill/Camden, NJ. Racing is ONLY on Saturday, April 6 from 8:30 am until around 4:30 pm. Travel roster, lineups, and race information (including race times, arrival times, lanes, and more!) can all be found HERE:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jDpWctxEw6CYrpeyGrSD7Ts5Zti4E1Hi4smVgxu2ZHI/edit#gid=500935567

Coaches will also be providing the rowers with all necessary information, so please check with your child about details. They will know the answers if they have been listening.

Transportation is not provided for this regatta, so all rowers must find their own ride to this race. The location where your athletes should be dropped off is the corner of Cuthbert and North Park Boulevard in Cherry Hill, NJ (you can probably use 510 Park Blvd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 as a GPS address, which is pretty close to where the trailer will be parked). Athletes should bring their own food and plenty of gear/clothing for a full day at the course, especially if they are racing more than once.

For parents hoping to watch the racing, this is a great venue to do so! The parent coordinators have arranged for the Mercer tent and tables to be near the finish line for viewing. There is a potluck signup link to volunteer to bring food for athletes and spectators – please volunteer to bring something if possible! We are hoping to make this a low waste event, so please bring reusable coffee mugs and water bottles to fill up!

Also, as a reminder, please be sure to pay the Trip Fee for the race. It is $27 and you can pay by check made out to PNRA (drop off with your coach or with Hilary in the office) or via Regatta Central via this link. If your son or daughter is NOT racing, you do not need to pay the trip fee.

Please reach out to your coach or to Hilary (hgehman@rowpnra.org) with any questions.

Go Mercer!

2019 Spring and Summer Schedule

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Below is the schedule for the spring, summer and start of fall seasons. It is a lot of information so please read carefully. Some of the races earlier in the season are still tbd and we will update as soon as we know more details.

First a few reminders: please be sure to communicate early with your coach if you are planning any college visits or other trips that will require you to miss practice. There is a new NCAA rule that allows girls in their junior year to be invited on official visits. This is the first year of the rule and it is unclear how many college coaches will utilize it this spring. As a reminder, missed practices may effect boatings. In addition to communicating with your coach, please remember to fill out the absentee form. 

Also, anyone interested in possibly rowing as a lightweight this spring must have the Lightweight Health Form completed by a physician and turned in no later than March 11, 2019. Here is the form: Lightweight Health Form spring 2019.

Spring Schedule*:

Saturday, March 2: end of winter for varsity

Sunday, March 3: USRowing U19 ID Camp for girls at Mercer boathouse

Monday, March 4 – Sunday, March 10: varsity tryouts (including Mercer Indoor Row for the Cure)

Sunday, March 10:

  • Mercer Indoor Row for the Cure at Peddie School – all Mercer event (fundraiser for Central and South Jersey Susan G. Komen)
  • end of winter for novice (after the Row for the Cure)
  • USRowing U19 ID Camp for boys at Mercer Boathouse

Monday, March 11: beginning of spring for varsity

Saturday, March 16: Varsity Parents meeting, 9 a.m. at boathouse

Monday, March 18: beginning of spring for novice

Saturday, March 23: Novice Parents meeting, 9 a.m. at boathouse

Saturday, March 30: Metropolitan Youth Speed Order, Passaic River (tentative)

Saturday, April 6: Neczypor Regatta, Cooper River (tentative)

Sunday, April 14: Gonzaga v. Mercer, Mercer Lake – varsity boys (we are looking for a girls team to host)

Friday, April 19-Saturday, April 20: Mercer Lake Sprints, Mercer Lake – all Mercer boats
NOTE: this is Easter and Passover weekend

Saturday, April 27-Sunday, April 28: Saratoga Invite, Saratoga Springs, NY – varsity, tentative novice

Saturday, May 11-Sunday, May 12: USRowing Mid-Atlantic Regionals, Mercer Lake – all Mercer boats

Monday, May 13: end of spring for varsity and novice

Tuesday, May 21: End of Season Mercer Banquet for all Mercer rowers and parents at Hamilton Manor (note: if there is availability, this may be moved a week earlier).

Summer Schedule**:

Those who qualify for Nationals will continue to train through June 9

Friday, June 7-Sunday, June 9: USRowing Youth Nationals (Sarasota, FL)

Monday, June 24: summer season starts for everyone

(this gives 6 weeks off for those who do not qualify for nationals and 2 weeks off for those who do qualify for nationals)

Proposed summer races:

Saturday, July 20: Philly Youth Regatta

Saturday, July 27: Overpeck Regatta

Tuesday, August 6- Sunday, August 11: Canadian Henley, St. Catharines, ONT (select boats)

August 12: end of summer season

Monday, August 26: varsity captains practices start and start of novice fall

Tuesday, September 3-Friday, September 6: varsity tryouts

Saturday, September 7: varsity fall starts

*For the spring season, the varsity girls will have Tuesdays off and practice both Saturday and Sunday (exact time is tbd, but likely 10:30-1:00 on Saturday and 7:00-9:30 on Sunday). Weekday practice time is 4-6:45 pm. The varsity boys are still tbd on whether they will follow that plan or stick with a Monday through Friday and one weekend day practice schedule. Novice practice is Monday through Friday 4:15-6:15.

**For the summer season, practices will run Monday through Friday from 1-3 p.m. No weekend practice.

Spring Season Dates

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Hello,

Below are some important dates for the spring season (yes, it is still winter but we’re always looking ahead!).

Varsity
Winter ends: March 2
Spring Try-outs: March 4-10
Spring Season: March 11-May 17

Novice
Winter ends: March 10
Spring Season: March 18-May 17

For boats that qualify for Nationals, training will begin Saturday, May 18. Nationals are in Sarasota, Florida from June 7-9. Novices do not attend Nationals.  

The summer season will begin on June 10 (except for those who attended Nationals).

Spring 2019 Mercer Racing Schedule click the link to see the spring race schedule. Please note: Mercer Lake Sprints falls on Easter weekend this year. Racing will take place Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20. 

Thank you and GO MERCER!

Lost and Found will be donated soon!

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Parents and Athletes:

We have a LOT of items that have been left in the erg room or around the boathouse that need to be claimed. Please come and check the piles and take anything that belongs to you. We will be making a trip to Homefront on Monday, Dec. 10 to donate any items not claimed. Check out the photo below for a sample of what we have in the office:

Lost and Found items and update on gear

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Hello Parents and Athletes,

There are a bunch of clothes that we have accumulated in our lost and found area over the course of the fall. Please check for lost items either in the erg room OR in the conference room (back room in the office) – parents are welcome to come check the stash on your son/daughter’s behalf!

We will be donating leftover items to Homefront on Monday, December 10!

An update on gear orders: there are a bunch of JL items that are on back order and we are expecting them any day. Patagonia orders are trickling in and we’ll keep you posted on when you can pick them up. (Note: the rain jackets will ship sometime in December).

Thank you!

Winter Training

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Winter Registration is available! There are some changes this year so please read carefully!

The varsity will not be going to CrossFit in Hamilton. Instead, the varsity will be utilizing space in a warehouse off of Alexander Road. The address is 741 Alexander Road, Unit 3. The schedule for each team is as follows:

Varsity Girls, Nov 26-Mar 2:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Boathouse from 4-6:15 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday at Alexander Rd from 4-6:15 p.m.
Saturday morning at Boathouse, exact time TBD

Varsity (Nov 26-Mar 2) and Novice (Dec 3-Mar 10) Boys:

Monday at Boathouse from 5:45-8 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday at Boathouse from 4-6:15 p.m.
Wednesday and Friday at Alexander Rd from 4-6:15 p.m. (VARSITY ONLY, NOVICE IS OFF)
Saturday morning at Boathouse, exact time TBD

Novice Girls, Dec 4-Mar 10:

Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at Boathouse from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday at Boathouse, exact time TBD

The Novice team meets 4 days a week and the winter program fee is $400. The Varsity teams meet 6 days a week with a program fee of $650. Any athlete who has completed two full seasons as a novice is no longer eligible to row as a novice. There will be tryouts for varsity the week of March 4-10. The varsity and novice boys will meet at the same time but will have a different training schedule. Check the list here to see what program to sign up for. Also please note: coxswains do not pay for winter training! If you are a coxswain, please check with your coach on a schedule of days to attend.

There will be no practice Dec 23-Jan 2.

Here is the link to register: https://www.rowpnra.org/mercer-rowing/juniors/registrationforms/

Head of the Schuylkill Information – PLEASE READ

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Good afternoon, Mercer Parents,

Below you will find some additional information about tomorrow’s regatta:

Drop-off/Pick-up:  The Head of the Schuylkill is technically an away regatta, but parents and athletes are required to get themselves to the course.  Please have the athletes at the trailer TWO HOURS before the scheduled race time.  The trailer is located at Trailer Lot 4, which is marked on the map: http://hosr.org/site-map/

Parking/Spectator Information:  Philadelphia is closing down Kelly Drive for this regatta.  Therefore, you will need to adjust your timing to allow for extra traffic for drop off and pick up.  There is parking up the hill from the course, and there will be a shuttle running back and forth, stopping at Lot 4 where the Mercer trailer is located.  Parents can refer to the Parents’ FB page for additional information about where to watch, but there is a covered grandstand farther down the course from the drop off site.  The trailer zone is for coaches and athletes only, so please respect that space and cheer farther down the course.

Racing:  This is a head race.  That means the boats are coming down the course one at a time, with about 15 seconds separating them, rather than spread across in lanes.  The racing schedule with bow numbers will be posted on the Parents’ FB page, so you will know which boats to look for.  Once the racing is over, please wait until you hear from your athlete before you pick him/her up.  The athletes will need to de-rig the boats and load them back on the trailer before they are allowed to leave, which does take some time.  The coaches ask that you not hang around the trailers while the athletes are working, but rather wait until you hear from them.

Miscellaneous:  The Head of the Schuylkill is a large regatta, with many clubs competing in events throughout the day.  There will be a lot of exciting racing, but it will also be very crowded.  Please pack some food, water, and extra gear for your athletes!  There are some vendors at the course, but it’s best to come prepared.

Good luck to all the rowers tomorrow!

Patagonia Order

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Hello!

Order forms for Mercer Patagonia gear are now available! Forms can be found on the erg room bulletin board, or can be printed here Fall 2018 Patagonia Order Form. Order forms and payment must be turned in to Coach Anna by the end of practice on Monday, 10/22. Checks can be made payable to Princeton National Rowing Association. Late orders cannot be accepted, nor can order forms submitted without payment. Please note that all Patagonia clothing is optional. Please contact Anna (akalfaian@rowpnra.org) with any questions!

Practice Information for those NOT traveling to the Housatonic

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Greetings,

The following is information about practice for all athletes not traveling to the Head of the Housatonic:

Friday afternoon: ALL TEAMS WILL PRACTICE AT THE BOATHOUSE AS REGULARLY SCHEDULED for those not going to CT

Sunday: Varsity Girls will meet at the Princeton stadium for practice 7:30-9:00 a.m. (All those who raced in CT have Sunday off)

Sunday: Varsity Boys is tbd and will be announced Saturday afternoon/evening. Check the Varsity Boys Facebook page.

Thank you and GO MERCER!

Novice Parents Meeting and College Night

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Greetings Parents,

Just a quick reminder that this Saturday at 9 a.m. is the Novice Parents meeting at the boathouse.

Also, on Monday, September 24 there will be a College Information session starting at 7 p.m. for any students and/or parents who are interested in learning more about the process of rowing in college.

Thanks,

Hilary

Varsity and Novice Parent Meeting Dates

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Greetings Parents!

Please note the dates for the parent meetings both of which will take place at the boathouse starting at 9 a.m.

Varsity Parents: Saturday, September 15

Novice Parents: Saturday, September 22 

Please help us pass the word. Each meeting will cover information pertinent for parents, athletes are not expected to attend.

National Learn to Row Day – June 9

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USRowing will sponsor its National Learn to Row Day on June 2 but due to a conflict at the Mercer Lake venue with the IRA Championships, PNRA will host a Learn to Row event on Saturday, June 9, 2018. Led by Mercer Masters rowers, you will be introduced to the sport of rowing, including a tour of the boathouse facilities, learning the basics of the stroke on the indoor rowing machines (ergometers) and finally, getting out on the water to take some strokes in a boat!

Click here to register.

Tickets on sale now for rowing documentary Dare to Be

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PNRA is thrilled to be hosting a screening of the rowing documentary Dare to Be at the Princeton Garden Theater on Sunday, December 17 at 10 a.m. There is limited seating so purchase your tickets soon! Tickets are $12 (with a $1 online processing fee) and can be purchased via the following link:

http://www.princetongardentheatre.org/films/dare-to-be

This is a great movie for all rowers – novice through elite! Click the link above for more information and a trailer for the movie.

Fall Fundraising Event – Last Call for Tickets

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Last call to purchase tickets for the Fall Fundraising Event this Sunday at Topgolf in Edison, NJ. No golf experience necessary, and clubs are provided. Join Mercer athletes, parents and coaches to support the Boathouse Expansion Campaign.

Also, a reminder that we will be picking the raffle winner on Sunday for the “Boat of Cheer” (you do not need to be present to win). Parents, please remember to send ticket stubs and money or any unsold tickets with your athlete to drop off at practice by tomorrow, Friday, November 19. Please contact Hilary (hgehman@rowpnra.org or 609-799-7100 x107) if you’d like more tickets.

And finally, please check out the silent auction items and place your bid! There are some hotly contested items and you don’t want to miss your chance to win. The auction will close at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday (you do not need to be present to win).

Go Mercer!

Fall Fundraising Event Tickets, Silent Auction is LIVE and Raffle

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Greetings Mercer Families,

Two weeks ‘til tee time! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for our TopGolf Fall Fundraising Event on November 19th are still available! To get your tickets while they last, register here.  A few bronze, silver, and gold level sponsorship spots are also up for grabs until November 9th — information can be found on the link above.

This event is geared specifically toward the Boathouse Expansion Campaign which will address space constraints (indoor, parking, boat storage) in the current facility. The current 8th grade and Novice programs are the newest members of the Mercer family but will benefit the most from the expansion over the next few years! Please consider bringing your athlete to the event and learn more about how the expansion will impact the future of Mercer Rowing.

We also have exciting news:  the Silent Auction is up and running online! See what fabulous items are on the auction block and place your bid today!

Raffle tickets for the ‘Boat of Cheer’ will be sent home later this week with each Mercer athlete and we will notify you via blog post when that occurs.

Start working on your swing, and we’ll see you on the 19th!