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New Jersey Governor Murphy Declares June 23 Olympic Day

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On June 23, 1894, the modern Olympic Games were founded. The International Olympic Day was introduced in 1948 to commemorate this event. It is now celebrated in over 205 countries around the globe. Governor Phil Murphy added New Jersey to the places celebrating the day by declaring June 23, 2020 as Olympic Day for the State of New Jersey.

In his decree, Governor Murphy, recognizes the achievements of the women and men who have trained on Mercer Lake who have represented the United States in the Olympics bringing home medals from every Olympics since 2004. He also recognizes USRowing, the Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA) and the Caspersen Rowing Center for their roles in preparing the Olympic and National Rowing Team athletes.
Governor Murphy pointed out the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has created and the importance of promoting physical health in these times. As the State of New Jersey continues to open up with individual rowing programs to begin this week, the Governor has declared June 23 to promote 24 hours of digital global exercise.

Mercer County has a long history with rowing and our nation’s Rowing Teams. More Olympic Rowing Team Trials have been held in Mercer County than any other place in the United States. This includes the now famous 1936 Olympic Rowing Team Trials when the University of Washington “Boys in the Boat” earning their right to represent the USA at the Berlin Olympics. The 2004 Men’s Gold medal 8+ trained in Mercer County. The 2008, 2012 and 2016 Women’s Gold medal 8+ trained on Mercer Lake. The Caspersen Rowing Center is also playing a key role as the team prepares for the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games which are now scheduled for the summer of 2021.

To produce Olympians, it takes a team that goes beyond the athletes that will be at the Games. For those training at the Caspersen Rowing Center, this team includes the local community, especially those who have contributed to the team’s success by opening up their homes, providing employment opportunities and otherwise supported the athletes. This also includes Mercer County and the Mercer County Park Commission. Mercer Lake provides one of the top rowing venues in the country.

PNRA’s mission is to provide an opportunity for athletes of all ages, talents and backgrounds have the opportunity to develop this rowing abilities to their highest potential. For more information on PNRA and our programs, please visit our website at www.rowpnra.org.

A Statement from the PNRA Board of Directors on Racism and Diversity

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The currents of racism and inequality in our country run deep. Our organization wants to actively break down constructs that allow that current to flow, especially in sport. Furthermore, as rowers, we know that the only way a boat can move forward against an unfair current is if we all pull together as one team. We know that we have to challenge ourselves and our teammates to do better, to be better. We have to hold ourselves and our team accountable. Only through respecting and indeed celebrating our differences can we truly come together as a team and win the fight against racism and discrimination in all its forms.

The PNRA Board of Directors

New Lightweight Protocol

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Hello! Happy Hump Day.

If you are not planning to row Lightweight this Spring, you can stop reading!

USRowing has just opened up the Junior Lightweight Compliance Program Protocol. This is a new protocol so please read this information carefully. ALL Juniors who row in lightweight events at Mid-Atlantic Regionals and Youth Nationals must to be registered with USRowing under this protocol.

Please complete the following steps before March 1, 2020:

1. Confirm Individual membership status. Log in through the USRowing Membership Portal to confirm active membership status for the athlete. The link can be found HERE. Please make sure your USRowing membership does not expire sometime this Spring. The last day of Spring season is Sunday June 14, 2020.

2. Apply for Lightweight status. Coach Matt and Coach Jamie will register all athletes who wish to participate as a lightweight for the 2020 Spring Season through the USRowing Membership Portal.

3. Schedule appointment for athlete with healthcare professional. Inform your healthcare professional in advance of the purpose of the visit and reference the “three years of CDC growth chart weight percentile data” requirement on the form. The form was handed out at practice. It can also be found HERE.

– Individuals that cannot meet the criteria of providing CDC growth chart weight percentile for the past three years must submit written request for medical exemption to USRowing by February 15, 2020. The athlete will be contacted and asked to provide supplementary data prior to the March 15 deadline. Written requests should be submitted to the USRowing main office postmarked no later than February 15, 2020. Office Address: USRowing, 2 Wall Street, Princeton NJ 08540.

– Please let either Coach Matt or Coach Jamie know if you are submitting a medical exemption request.

4. The cost to administer the program will be $10.00 per athlete. When submitting your forms to either Coach Matt or Coach Jamie please include a $10.00 check made out to the Princeton National Rowing Association. PNRA will be submitting all forms into USRowing as a group. Please do not mail the final forms individually.

Athletes not registered with USRowing as Junior Lightweights by March 15, 2020, are not eligible to participate in lightweight events at USRowing Youth National Championships qualification regattas, the USRowing Youth National Championships and any USRowing registered regatta with junior lightweights held between March 15 and June 30. No exceptions.

If you have any questions, please contact either Coach Matt or Coach Jamie as soon as possible.

Thanks and GO MERCER!

Mercer Junior Rowers Qualify 9 Boats for the National Championship

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May 21, 2019
West Windsor, NJ

Princeton National Rowing Association’s Mercer Junior Rowing qualified nine boats, including the first ever sculling boat, for the USRowing Youth National Championships. The teams walked away with plenty of hardware also winning Boys Novice 4+ and 8+, Girls Novice 8+, and Girls 2nd Varsity 4+ at the May 11-12 Mid-Atlantic Youth Regional Championships. The Mother’s Day weekend regatta on Mercer Lake marked the last home race for the 2019 spring season. The weather shortened event drew 56 teams from seven states competing in 36 events. The USRowing Youth National Championships, which will take place June 6-9, 2019 in Sarasota, Florida.

Mercer Varsity Girls’ Head Coach Matt Carlsen stated “All year I have been saying how I wanted to have our team as one of the deepest teams in the country. It has been a truly competitive season and our results at the regional championships show that the girls bought into that concept and went above and beyond the call of duty. Qualifying 5 boats on the girls’ side is truly remarkable, and this is our first sculling boat that has ever qualified from Mercer!”

On the boys’ side, the team qualified double the number of seats from last year and is looking to improve and continue building on a bronze medal in the 4+ at Nationals last year. “It’s a really young team – over half the team is sophomores – and to qualify as many boats as we did and have such solid results really speaks to the type of program and culture we’re trying to build here,” said Mercer Varsity Boys’ Head Coach Jamie Hamp. “I’m excited for Florida in a few weeks.”

The Mercer Junior Rowing Program provides opportunities for area high school students to participate in rowing. This Spring 2019 Mercer Junior Rowing is comprised of 153 athletes from 35 area schools. The 34 athletes who qualified the following boats for the USRowing Youth National Championships represent the following high schools:

Women’s Varsity 8+
C: Helena Wolk- Princeton HS
8: Sophie Craver-Princeton HS
7: Sylvie Tuder-Princeton HS
6: Erin Heyeck-The Pennington School
5: Morgan Linsley-Princeton HS
4: Logan Sudholz-Pennridge HS
3: Catherine Dyevich-Princeton HS
2: Caroline Gibson-Princeton HS
1: Ava Wisnoski-Northern Burlington HS
Women’s 2-
2: Riley Cooper-Hunterdon Central Regional HS
1: Elyse Szych-N Hunterdon HS
Women’s Varsity 4+
C: Sunny Hu – Stuart School
4: Kristen Harkins-Notre Dame HS
3: Eva Wojnovich-Council Rock HS North
2: Sarah Closser-Princeton HS
1: Jacqueline Armetta-Villa Joseph Marie HS
Women’s Lightweight 4+
C: Emma Dziedzic-Robbinsville HS
4: Chloe Couillens-Hopewell Valley Central HS
3: Riddhi Singh-Stanford Online HS
2: Cara Barkenbush-West Windsor Plainsboro HSS
1: Natalie Verlinde-Princeton HS
Women’s Lightweight 2x
2. Eveline Enthoven-Princeton HS
1. Abigail McAleer- Council Rock HS North

Men’s 8+
C: AnneMarie Huber-Stuart School
8: Jack Gallagher-Council Rock HS North
7: Brady Stergion-Notre Dame HS
6: Leon Deng-Princeton HS
5: Julian Thomas-The Pennington School
4: Joseph DiRusso-Notre Dame HS
3: Brian Radvany-Princeton Day School
2: Grant Smith-Montgomery HS
1: Andrew Griesinger-Princeton Day School

Men’s 4+
C: AnneMarie Huber – Stuart School
4: Jack Gallagher-Council Rock HS North
3: Grant Smith-Montgomery HS
2: Leon Deng-Princeton HS
1: Brady Stergion-Notre Dame HS

Men’s A 2-
2: Andrew Griesinger – Princeton Day School
1: Julian Thomas – The Pennington School

Men’s B2-
2: Spencer Stengle- Princeton HS
1: Thomas Closser – Princeton HS

About the Princeton National Rowing Association
The Princeton National Rowing Association, a 501(c)3 organization, operates the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center located on the shores of Mercer Lake, Mercer County Park in West Windsor, New Jersey. The Princeton National Rowing Association is dedicated to operating a world-class training site for our nation’s elite athletes, providing opportunities for area youth to excel in the sport of rowing and to expand rowing in the area through community-based programs. PNRA runs the Mercer Junior Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for youth from over 35+ area schools and the Mercer Masters Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for adults. In addition, PNRA offers the Rowing Is Growing Outreach program to economically-disadvantaged students in Mercer County. The center is a home to the USRowing National and Olympic Teams, as well as rowing clubs and schools.
For more information, contact Kristopher Grudt, tel: 609-799-7100 x100, krisgrudt@rowpnra.org or visit www.rowpnra.org.

Mercer Junior Jack Gallagher Invited to USRowing Under-23 Lightweight National Team Selection Camp

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Mercer Junior Jack Gallagher has been invited to attend the USRowing Under-23 National Team Lightweight Selection Camp in Princeton, NJ this summer.  The camp will select the Lightweight 4x to represent the USA at the Under-23 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota, Florida, in July this year.  The Camp will also explore options to race in the Under-23 National Team Trials for the Lightweight 2x, 2- and 1x.  The Trials will be held on Mercer Lake in early July.

http://www.usrowing.org/news/2019/04/11/usrowing-names-2019-under-23-selection-camp-invitees/

Mercer Rowing 2018 Fall Season Recap

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The Fall Head Racing Season finished for the Mercer Juniors and Mercer Masters at the Head of the Schuykill Regatta in Philadelphia, October 28, 2018.   The weather was beautiful for the first race of the Head season on October 6th in Shelton, Connecticut for the Head of The Housatonic.  Mercer followed that two weeks later at the cold and blustery Head of The Charles.  The last Head races took place the weekend of October 28-29 for the Head of The Schuykill in Philadelphia.  There was heavy rain on Saturday for the Masters races, but for Sunday’s Junior races the weather improved substantially.   Congratulations to all who represented Mercer Junior and Masters Rowing at these regattas!

Results from the HEAD OF THE SCHUYKILL for Mercer Rowing were:
Boys’ Varsity 4 – 6th
Boys’ V8—12th
Boys’ JV8—12th
Boys’ High School JV 4- 36th
Novice Boys 8- 4th + 13th
Boys’ Novice 4—2nd
Girls’ V8 –5th
Girls’ V4 –4th
Girls JV8—1st, 4th and 13th
**Girls’ Novice 4—1st and 17th
Novice Girls 8—9th & 16th and 21

Mercer Masters
Masters Women’s 8—4th
Masters Men’s 8 (combined with Swan Creek)—6th

Results from the HEAD OF THE CHARLES, October 20-21st, 2018,
Boys’ (Junior Men)—28th out of 85
Girls’ 8 (Junior Women)—5th out of 85
Girls’ JV 8–15th out of 85
Masters Women—27th out of 44
Coach Hilary Gehman—6th place in Masters 2X, Women 40+
Coach Anna Kalfaian—Princeton alumni 8—22nd
Coach Jamie Hamp—Princeton alumni 8—3rd

 

HEAD OF THE HOUSATONIC, October 6, 2018
**Junior Boys 1X—1st place-Jack Gallagher
Girls’ Varsity 8—7th
Girls’ Varsity 4—8th and 10th
Girls’ JV 8—2nd and 6th
Girls’ Novice 8—4th
Boys’ Varsity 8—8th
Boys’ Varsity 4– 2nd
Boys’ JV 4—4th
Boys’ Novice 8—3rd
Boys’ 2V 8—10th and 16th
Masters Women’s 8—3rd
Masters Men’s 4—10th
Masters Women’s 4—5th and 7
Coach Anna Kalfaian’s pair—3rd

Fall Season Starts for Local Crews with Mercer Lake Challenge

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Wednesday, September 26, 2018

The Caspersen Rowing Center came alive on Wednesday afternoon with some friendly, intra-boathouse competition among the different high school crews that train here. The Lawrenceville School, Hun School, Peddie School and Mercer Junior Rowing all took part in two co-ed events, each a 4.6K ‘round the lake’ timed race in two boat classes. The first group to go off was the 4+ (coxed 4s), 4X (quads), and  event. Next the teams seated 8s for the same trip. 

The weather cooperated and the Mercer Lake Challenge gave the crews a chance to test their speed as the Fall Head racing season gets underway.

Next up on Mercer Lake will be the Small Boat Challenge on October 6th & 7th , 2018.  The Mercer Juniors and Mercer Masters will compete at the Head of the Housatonic in Derby CT on October 6,, 2018.

 

2018 Mercer Lake Challenge Results

            Men’s 8+ – 4:30pm                                         

Place    Bow                               Team                          Final Time
1           1                                     Mercer “A”                     16:11.3
2           3                                     Lawrenceville “A”                   16:48.1
3           4                                     Hun                                 16:58.3
4           5                                     Mecer “B”                       17:03.1
5           2                                     Peddie “A”                      17:07.6
6           7                                     Lawrenceville “B”                   17:46.1
7           6                                     Peddie “B”                      18:39.0
8           9                                     Peddie “C”                      19:17.1
9           8                                     Mercer “C”                     20:19.0            

            Women’s 8+ – 4:35pm        

Place    Bow                               Team                          Final Time
1           12                                   Mercer “A”        4+             18:05.4
2           14                                   Mercer “B”        4+             18:35.0
3           15                                   Mercer “C”        4+             19:26.9
4           16                                   Mercer “D”        4+             19:42.1
5           13                                   Lawrenceville    4+             20:26.1
1           17                                   Peddie “A”         4x             19:21.0
2           18                                   Hun                    4x             19:46.3
3           19                                   Peddie “B”         4x             20:09.2
4           20                                   Peddie “C”         4x             24:34.9
3           23                                   Hun “C”              2x             23:35.0
1           21                                   Hun “A”              2x             23:59.0
2           22                                   Hun “B”              2x             26:58.6
             24                                   Hun “D”             2x    DNS

                                                                                      

             Men’s 8+ – 5:10pm                                         

Place    Bow                               Team                          Final Time
1           27                                   Mercer “A”                     15:22.5
2           29                                   Lawrenceville “A”                   16:03.4
3           31                                   Mercer “B”                     16:28.0
4           30                                   Hun                                 16:44.5
5           28                                   Peddie “A”                      17:05.2
6           33                                   Mercer “C”                     17:31.9
7           32                                   Peddie “B”                      19:03.0
8           34                                   Mercer “D”                     20:12.5

                                                                                      

             Women’s 8+ -5:20pm                                    

Place    Bow                               Team                          Final Time
1           35                                   Mercer “A”                     16:41.6
2           37                                   Mercer “B”                     17:11.2
3           38                                   Mercer “C”                     18:24.0
4           39                                   Mercer “D”                     19:27.4
5           36                                   Peddie                             20:17.2

Princeton National Rowing Association Staff adds Anna Kalfaian as Novice Programs Coordinator and Novice Girls Coach

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For Immediate Release
West Windsor, NJ
July 9, 2018

The Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA) is pleased to announce that Anna Kalfaian will take on a full-time position with the Mercer Rowing Program coaching staff as the Novice Rowing Coordinator and Novice Girls Coach.

Anna Kalfaian graduated from Princeton University in 2017, where she rowed as a member of the Varsity Openweight Women’s team for four years and earned a degree in Art and Archaeology: Visual Arts.  While at Princeton, Ms. Kalfaian competed in the NCAA National Rowing Championships, the Henley Women’s Regatta and won multiple IVY League medals.   Ms. Kalfaian began her rowing career at Blair Academy in 2009 and attended Junior National Team Selection Camp in 2012.  Ms. Kalfaian previously worked in art/nonprofit education and coached the Belvidere Barracudas Swim Team for three years, and most recently served as the Mercer Varsity Women’s Assistant Coach.

 

About the Princeton National Rowing Association

The Princeton National Rowing Association, a 501(c)3 organization, operates the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center located on the shores of Mercer Lake, Mercer County Park in West Windsor, New Jersey.  The Princeton National Rowing Association is dedicated to operating a world-class training site for our nation’s elite athletes, providing opportunities for area youth to excel in the sport of rowing and to expand rowing in the area through community-based programs.  PNRA runs the Mercer Junior Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for youth from over 30 area schools and the Mercer Masters Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for adults.  The center is a home to the USRowing National and Olympic Teams, as well as rowing clubs and schools. PNRA has received generous support from USRowing, University Orthopaedic Associates, bai, JL Racing, Resolute Racing Shells, Wells Fargo Advisors-Gould Group, Holiday Inn, and Residence Inn by Marriott.

For more information, contact Kristopher Grudt,

tel: 609-977-1094, krisgrudt@rowpnra.org or visit www.rowpnra.org

116th Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Collegiate Rowing Championship Returns to Mercer Lake

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For immediate release

May 23, 2018

WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA) will welcome the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Collegiate Rowing Championship to Mercer Lake in Mercer County Park on June 1-3, 2018.  This marks the 4th time that this prestigious regatta will be held on Mercer Lake.  First held in 1896, the IRA Championship Regatta brings the top Men’s, Lightweight Men’s and Lightweight Women’s Crews from throughout the United States to crown the national collegiate champion in 10 different events.  With the NCAA conducting only a Women’s Open Rowing Championship since 1996, the IRA Regatta has long provided the opportunity our country’s top collegiate rowers to have a national championship.

 

The IRA National Championship returns to Mercer Lake this year after being in Sacramento California in 2017.  PNRA previously hosted the IRA regatta in 2014-2016.   The IRA Stewards have also announce that the 2020 and 2021 editions of the IRA Championship will be on Mercer Lake.  Approximately 1200 collegiate athletes participate in the IRA regatta.

The Mercer County Park venue is considered one of the top rowing locations in the United States.     The venue in Mercer County Park has hosted many major regattas including six US Olympic Rowing Team Trials and the 2006, 2012 and 2017 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championship Regatta and USRowing’s Youth National Championships.  Regattas held on the on lake produce over $10 million in total local economic impact each year.

“It is an honor to be able to bring the IRA National Championship Regatta back to Mercer Lake,” stated Kristopher Grudt, Princeton National Rowing Association’s Executive Director. “The IRA has long been considered one of the nation’s premier rowing events and it is great to host it at one of the top rowing venues in the country.  We have inquiries from people from as far away and New Zealand who are planning on attending this event.  We thank Mercer County, Mercer County Parks and all of our dedicated volunteers for their support in our ability to attract top level regattas to Mercer County.”

About the Princeton National Rowing Association

The Princeton National Rowing Association, a 501(c)3 organization, operates the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center located on the shores of Mercer Lake, Mercer County Park in West Windsor, New Jersey.  The Princeton National Rowing Association is dedicated to operating a world-class training site for our nation’s elite athletes, providing opportunities for area youth to excel in the sport of rowing and to expand rowing in the area through community-based programs.  PNRA runs the Mercer Junior Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for youth from over 30 area schools and the Mercer Masters Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for adults.  The center is a home to the USRowing National and Olympic Teams, as well as rowing clubs and schools.

For more information, contact Kristopher Grudt, tel: 609-799-7100 x100, krisgrudt@rowpnra.org or visit www.rowpnra.org.

PNRA/Mercer Rowing Shines at Mid-Atlantic Regionals

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For immediate release
May 18, 2018
West Windsor, NJ

Princeton National Rowing Association/Mercer Juniors excelled at USRowing Mid-Atlantic Youth Regional Championships walking away with the Overall Team Points Trophy, the Women’s Team Points Trophy and qualifying nine boats for the Youth National Championship. The Regional Championships were held on Mercer Lake May 12 and 13, 2018 and drew 41 teams from seven states competing in 357 boats. The event is a qualifying regatta for the USRowing Youth National Championship which will take place June 7-10, 2018 in Sacramento, California.

Mercer Rowing Program Director and Varsity Boys Head Coach Justin Ochal will take three of his men’s boats to nationals this year. The Men’s Youth 4+ took first place overall in their event, finishing more than ten seconds ahead of second place South Jersey. Rowers Jack Gallagher, Eli Kalfaian, Evan Kinter and Herbert De Cokere were coxed by Annie Huber, and finished with an official time of 6:58.97. In addition, Ochal qualified two Men’s Youth 2- boats. Mercer rowers Dana Gajewski and Andrew Moss won that event with a time of 7:45.39, followed by teammates Brady Stergion and Pavel Zhelnin in third with their time of 8:05.481.

Coach Ochal had nothing but good things to say about his rowers. “This year at Mid-Atlantics there was a lot of competition. I’m proud of the guys for stepping up and competing in difficult events. This year the boys worked hard to put themselves in the best possible position. We had some good results, and we learned where we stack up against the competition. The boys should be proud of how they rowed.”
The Mercer Junior Women will be sending its largest contingent ever to the Youth National Championship. Proving their depth as a team, the women qualified six boats: the Varsity Women’s 8+; Varsity Women’s Lightweight 8+; 2nd Varsity Women’s 8+; Women’s Varsity 4+; Women’s Varsity Lightweight 4+; and Women’s 2-.

“This entire year, I wanted to instill the ‘Team First’ attitude,” Varsity Girls Head Coach Matt Carlsen said. “It doesn’t matter what boat you are in, as long as you make it as fast as you possibly can. It really showed this past weekend. Every single girl walked away with a medal, and we won the Girl’s Team Points Trophy. I am very proud of all the hard work the girls put in over the course of the year, and for some, there are still four more weeks of even harder work to go.”

Mercer’s first and second varsity boats finished first and second in the Women’s Youth 8+ event, both qualifying for the Youth National Championship. Coxswain Lauren Preston steered rowers Bridget Parker, Katryna Niva, Elyssa Aronson, Kieran Wild, Emmanuelle Adamson, Sarah Closser, Mia Barkenbush, and Sara Hansen to victory with a time of 7:15.58. Not far behind were teammates Peri Mishkin, Sylvie Tuder, Kristen Harkins, Morgan Linsley, Catherine Dyevich, Erin Heyeck, Jacqueline Armetta, and Olivia Andersen. Coxed by Helena Wolk, their boat finished in second place with a time 7:25.53.

The Mercer Girls Team will also be sending rowers to compete in the Women’s Youth Lightweight 8+, the Women’s Youth 4+, the Women’s Youth Lightweight 4+, and the Women’s Youth 2-.
The Mercer Junior Rowing Program provides opportunities to participate in rowing to182 athletes from 46 area schools. The 48 athletes who have qualified for the USRowing Youth National Championships represent 15 area schools:

Women’s Varsity 8+
C: Lauren Preston – Notre Dame HS
8: Bridget Parker – Princeton HS
7: Katryna Niva – Hunterdon Central HS
6: Elyssa Aronson – Cherry Hill HS East
5: Kieran Wild – Council Rock HS North
4: Emmanuelle Adamson – Princeton HS
3: Sarah Closser – Princeton HS
2: Mia Barkenbush – West Windsor HS South
1: Sara Hansen – West Windsor HS South

Women’s 2nd Varsity 8+
C: Helena Wolk – Princeton HS
8: Peri Mishkin – Allentown HS
7: Sylvie Tuder – Princeton HS
6: Kristen Harkins – Notre Dame HS
5: Morgan Linsley – Princeton HS
4: Catherine Dyevich – Princeton HS
3: Erin Heyeck – Pennington School
2: Jacqueline Armetta – Villa Joseph Marie HS
1: Olivia Andersen – Princeton HS

Women’s Varsity Lightweight 8+
C: Madeleine Peel – Princeton HS
8: Catherine Vinch-Buck – Pennington School
7: Erin Dobbs – Notre Dame HS
6: Nathalie Verlinde – Princeton HS
5: Taylor Vierling – Northern Burlington HS
4: Maheera Bawa – Montgomery HS
3: Julia Berdzik – Notre Dame HS
2: Chloe Couillens – Hopewell Valley Cent HS
1: Eveline Enthoven – Princeton HS

Women’s 2-
2: Sophie Craver – Princeton HS
1: Sylvie Tuder – Princeton HS

Women’s Varsity 4+
C: Maura Harkins – Notre Dame HS
4: Sophie Craver – Princeton HS
3: Elena Kosowski – Steintert HS
2: Emma Bryan – Princeton HS
1: Caroline Gibson – Princeton HS

Women’s Lightweight 4+
C: Anna Hu – West Windsor HS South
4: Ava Wisnoski – Northern Burlington HS
3: Olivia Estes-Downs – Princeton HS
2: Caroline Adams – Council Rock HS North
1: Abigail McAleer – Council Rock HS North

Men’s 2-
2: Dana Gajewski – Princeton HS
1: Andrew Moss – Princeton HS

2: Brady Stergion – Notre Dame HS
1: Pavel Zhelnin – Princeton HS

Men’s 4+
C: Annie Huber – Stuart Country Day School
4: Jack Gallagher – Council Rock HS North
3: Eli Kalfaian – Delaware Valley Regional HS
2: Evan Kinter – Steinert HS
1: Herbert De Cokere – Montgomery HS

About the Princeton National Rowing Association
The Princeton National Rowing Association, a 501(c)3 organization, operates the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center located on the shores of Mercer Lake, Mercer County Park in West Windsor, New Jersey. The Princeton National Rowing Association is dedicated to operating a world-class training site for our nation’s elite athletes, providing opportunities for area youth to excel in the sport of rowing and to expand rowing in the area through community-based programs. PNRA runs the Mercer Junior Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for youth from over 30 area schools and the Mercer Masters Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for adults. The center is a home to the USRowing National and Olympic Teams, as well as rowing clubs and schools.
For more information, contact Kristopher Grudt, tel: 609-799-7100 x100, krisgrudt@rowpnra.org or visit www.rowpnra.org.

Jan. 4 2018 Winter Weather Practice Updates

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Due to the Winter Storm Warning that will be in effect and the forecast that is calling for increasing snow amounts and wind, the Mercer Masters practice scheduled for the morning of Thursday, January 4, is cancelled.

An announcement regarding the status of Mercer Junior practices will be made on Thursday morning based on how the storm develops.  If the Mercer Junior practices are cancelled a message will be posted on this blog and sent out via the emergency text messaging service.

To sign up for the emergency texting service, text PNRA to 313131.

 

Monday, October 30 MJRC Practices

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Due to the high wind and lack of indoor workout space, the Novice, 8th Grade and Development program practices scheduled for October 30th have been cancelled.  Coaches will send out suggested workouts to their athletes.

The Varsity will practice as normal.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.

 

Congratulations to the Novices on a good race at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta.

Mercer Rowing Shines at Elite Head of the Charles Regatta

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Mercer Youth Men’s 8+ at the 2017 Head of the Charles Regatta Photo courtesy of Helene Gallagher

October 27, 2017, West Windsor, NJ – For immediate release

Thousands of rowers from around the globe descended upon Boston last weekend to compete at the elite Head of the Charles Regatta.  The weather was picture perfect on the Charles River, and the Mercer rowers used that to their advantage as they took to the water in the hopes of improving their times from last year and securing automatic invitations to return next year.  They did not disappoint.

Mercer’s first varsity women’s boat competed in the Women’s Youth Eights.  Rowers Katryna Niva, Sarah Closser, Elyssa Aronson, Bridget Parker, Emmanuelle Adamson, Kieran Wild, Mia Barkenbush, Sara Hansen and coxswain Lauren Preston finished the course in 16:40.878, earning them a 5th place medal in the field of 85 boats.  While their finish was certainly impressive, co-captain Adamson was quick to note that there is still work to be done.

“Head of the Charles is an amazing experience and so much fun,” she said.  “It’s pretty great to have the entire team do so well.  Our 2V has been doing insanely well and proving the depth we have.  It’s great to have success early in the season, but we have a long time to continue to improve before nationals.”

The 2V Adamson speaks so highly of is Mercer’s second varsity women’s boat, coxed by Madeleine Peel and rowed by Sophie Craver, Julia Berdzik, Peri Mishkin, Morgan Linsley, Jacqueline Armetta, Erin Dobbs, Chloe Couillens, and Eveline Enthoven. They finished closely behind the women’s 1V with a time of 17:04.439, earning them a 13th place finish and highest positon by a 2V boat in the event.

“I am very pleased with the results from the weekend,” varsity women’s coach Matt Carlsen said.  “Going into the head of the Charles, my goal for the varsity 8 and second varsity 8 was to get into the top 5 and top 15 respectively. They both accomplished those goals, but if we want to reach the end goal of medaling at the national championships in June we have to find even more speed on and off the water. I am hoping by the successes of this past weekend, it will light a fire under the girls that did not get a chance to compete and keep the fire lit for those that did!”

Mercer had one varsity men’s team competing in the Men’s Youth Eights at HOCR this year.  Annie Huber coxed rowers Dana Gajewski, Andrew Moss, Evan Kinter, Jack Gallagher, Eli Kalfaian, Herbert De Cokere, Brady Stergion, and Leon Deng to a 19th place finish with a time of 15:09.921.  Their placement guarantees that Mercer will send at least one varsity men’s boat back to the Charles River next year, in addition to the top two women’s varsity boats.

The Mercer Masters were also in attendance in Boston this year, sending one boat each to compete in the Men’s and Women’s Senior Master Fours.  Rowers Miles Truesdell, Charles Gilbert, Michael Vaccaro, David Potts and coxswain Helena Wolk finished in 29th place with a time of 19:44.742, while the women’s boat, coxed by Madeline Alden and rowed by Kristin Appelget, Sharon Waters, Meredith Lavery, and Terri Gruber McDonough finished in 25th place with  time of 20:48.833.

“It has been a great start to the 2017-18 season with the whole team, women, men and masters, having strong performances at our races so far this fall,” stated Justin Ochal, Mercer Rowing Program Director. “Our athletes have shown that we can race aggressively against some of the best teams in the country.  We are looking forward to continuing to build on this for the rest of the fall and throughout the spring season.”

Congratulations to all the Mercer rowers who competed in the Head of the Charles Regatta this year.

About the Princeton National Rowing Association 

The Princeton National Rowing Association, a 501(c)3 organization, operates the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center located on the shores of Mercer Lake, Mercer County Park in West Windsor, New Jersey.  The Princeton National Rowing Association is dedicated to operating a world-class training site for our nation’s elite athletes, providing opportunities for area youth to excel in the sport of rowing and to expand rowing in the area through community-based programs.  PNRA runs the Mercer Junior Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for youth from over 30 area schools and the Mercer Masters Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for adults.  The center is a home to the USRowing National and Olympic Teams, as well as rowing clubs and schools.

 

For more information, contact Kristopher Grudt, tel: 609-977-1094, krisgrudt@rowpnra.org or visit www.rowpnra.org.

 

Mercer Rowing Starts Season Strong at Head of the Housatonic Regatta

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October 13, 2017

The Mercer Juniors and Masters competed at the Head of the Housatonic Regatta this on Saturday, October 7, 2017. The crews raced in ideal conditions on the 4.5 mile course at Indian Well State Park in Shelton, Connecticut, and all of the Mercer crews had strong showings.

The Mercer Junior Girls, coached by Matt Carlsen, sent three varsity boats to Connecticut. Their first varsity crew of 8 competed in the 8+ Junior 1V women’s division. Rowers Katryna Niva, Sarah Closser, Elyssa Aronson, Emmanuelle Adamson, Bridget Parker, Kieran Wild, Mia Barkenbush, Sara Hansen and coxswain Maddie Peel finished the course in 14:19.4. Their time earned them a 4th place finish out of 18 boats.

The Mercer Junior Girls had two boats competing in the 8+ Junior 2V division. Their second varsity boat, coxed by Lauren Preston, consisted of rowers Sophie Craver, Julia Berdzik, Catie Vinch-Buck, Morgan Linsley, Jaqueline Armetta, Erin Dobbs, Chloe Couillens, and Eveline Enthoven. Their time of 14:54.7 earned them an impressive first place finish in a field of 20 boats. Following closely behind them was the Mercer Junior Girls’ third varsity boat, who finished in second place with a time of 15:05.2. Rowers Sylvie Tudor, Catherine Dyevich, Caroline Gibson, Erin Heyeck, Kristin Harkins, Olivia Andersen, Maheera Bawa, and Nathalie Verlinde, along with coxswain Helena Wolk, proved that talent runs deep for the Mercer Junior Girls.

The Mercer Junior Boys, coached by Justin Ochal, brought two varsity boats with them to Shelton. Rowers Dana Gajewski, Leon Dang, Evan Kinter, Jack Gallagher, Eli Kalfaian, Herbert De Cokere, Brady Stergion, and Pavel Zhelnin were coxed by Annie Huber in the 8+ Junior 1V Men’s Division. Their time of 13:27.6 earned them a 6th place finish out of a field of 24. The Mercer Junior Boys’ second varsity boat, rowing in the 8+ Junior 2V Men’s Division, finished in the top half of the field in 11th place. Coxswain Lauren Glogoff and rowers Chase Panfili, Andrei Dumitriu, Alex Brodowski, Brian Radvany, Aiden Sarafin, Alex Fradkin, Grant Smith, and John Mongelli finished the course in 14:59.7.

The Mercer Masters, also coached by Matt Carlsen, joined their junior counterparts at the Head of the Housatonic. The Masters Women’s 8+, coxed by Annie Huber, consisted of rowers Kristin Appleget, Sharon Waters, Rebecca Findlay, Terri Gruber McDonough, Cheryl Baldino, Ellen Tormey, Natasha Gajewski, and Cassandra Cohen. They placed 5th out of 9 boats with their time of 15:59.0. The Masters Women’s 4+ was coxed by Lauren Preston. Rowers Kristin Appleget, Cassandra Cohen, Rebecca Findlay, Terri Gruber McDonough finished the course in 18:07.2 to finish 12th out of 14 boats.

The Mercer Masters Men’s 4+, coxed by Maddie Peel, included rowers Miles Truesdell, David Potts, Michael Vaccaro, and Charles Gilbert. Their time of 16:39.0 earned them an 11th place finish in a field of 13.
The top Mercer Junior Rowing Program and Masters crews are now looking ahead to the Head of the Charles Regatta on October 21 and 22. This elite regatta attracts thousands of rowers to Boston each year, and the Mercer rowers are looking forward to proving themselves on the Charles River.

About the Princeton National Rowing Association

The Princeton National Rowing Association, a 501(c)3 organization, operates the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center located on the shores of Mercer Lake, Mercer County Park in West Windsor, New Jersey. The Princeton National Rowing Association is dedicated to operating a world-class training site for our nation’s elite athletes, providing opportunities for area youth to excel in the sport of rowing and to expand rowing in the area through community-based programs. PNRA runs the Mercer Junior Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for youth from over 30 area schools and the Mercer Masters Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for adults. The center is a home to the USRowing National and Olympic Teams, as well as rowing clubs and schools.

For more information, contact Kristopher Grudt, tel: 609-977-1094, krisgrudt@rowpnra.org or visit www.rowpnra.org.

Important Message for all Mercer Junior Varsity Rowers

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Due to the success of the Mercer Rowing programs and growing popularity in the sport of rowing, interest in Mercer Junior Rowing has grown steadily in recent years.  Last year almost 200 athletes participated in the program.  This attendance has strained the program infrastructure, and has made it challenging for the coaching staff to provide a quality experience for all participants.  Early indications for Fall 2017 participation suggest that interest in the program may exceed last years record participation level.

The PNRA staff and Mercer coaches have spent time this summer considering the optimal size for the Mercer Junior Rowing program.  Based on evaluating numerous constraints (including equipment, workout space, coaching resources and water time) it will be necessary to implement a try-out period for the program starting with the Fall 2017 season. This will enable the program to have a squad size that will balance team size and depth, deliver a solid rowing experience for each athlete, and result in the team performance we all expect from Mercer Junior Rowing. 

All athletes interested in the varsity program will be asked to register for a try-out period which will consist of the first two weeks of the season.  During this try-out period athletes will be evaluated on running, erging, and a general fitness test.  After try-outs are held, the coaches will post a list of athletes who will be invited to join the team. Try-outs will be held in August for the fall season and in March/April for the spring season. An invitation to participate in the fall season will not guarantee an invitation to the spring season.

The Fall 2017 try-out period that will run from August 28th through September 8th.   At this time, the try-out period is being implemented for only the varsity teams.  

Payment from varsity rowers for the fall season will be due after the fall roster has been posted at the conclusion of the two week try-out period.

Fall Varsity Try Outs will be held August 28th– September 9th, 2017

Selection will be based on the coaches’ assessment and judgment of the following criteria:

  1. General fitness – Running, body circuits, core, etc.
  2. Flexibility – Prospective athletes should be flexible enough to perform the stroke correctly and efficiently
  3. Attitude and coachability
  4. Overall rowing ability – Skill in the boat, on the ergometer and on land
  5. Erg fitness and weight adjusted number – Examples of this might be a 2k, 5k or 6k, 30″, 5x 5′, 2x 20, 2x5k or 6k
  6. Other articulated criteria related to the athlete’s potential competitive performance. 

If rowers have any questions, they should contact Coach Justin (jochal@rowpnra.org) or Coach Matt (mcarlsen@rowpnra.org).

Coach Justin

PNRA/Mercer Rowers to Compete at World Rowing Junior Championships

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July 11, 2017

West Windsor, NJ – Daniel Stoddard (West Windsor, NJ) and Andrew Hickey (Yardley, PA) have one more competition before they leave junior rowing behind them and join the ranks of collegiate rowers, and it will be the most significant.  Stoddard and Hickey will compete as part of the U.S. Junior National team at the World Rowing Junior Championships in Trakai, Lithuania on August 2-6.  The duo qualified for the team by winning the un-coxed pair event at the Under 19 World Championship Trials at Mercer Lake on June 29.

“It will be an honor to represent the United States in international competition,” said Hickey.  “I can’t wait for the moment at the starting line when we hear the referee announce our boat as ‘U.S.A’,” he added.

Stoddard and Hickey served as senior co-captains for the Princeton National Rowing Association’s Mercer Rowing Club this spring and competed in the varsity eight with coxswain event at the 2017 Youth National Championships.

“We feel like the pair is our best event,” said Stoddard.  “We have been good friends since we started rowing five years ago.  We communicate well, which is really important in a pair” he added. The pair, also referred to as the 2-, is the most challenging boat for rowers to learn to row because the rowers must handle the tasks of steering and communicating the stroke rate which are the coxswain’s responsibility in most other boats.  One rower, Stoddard, steers the boat with a foot apparatus, and the other rower, Hickey, calls out adjustments to the stroke rate.  The rowers don’t have the benefit of facing in the direction the boat is travelling, as a coxswain would.

Stoddard and Hickey will be accompanied to the World Rowing Junior Championships by their coach, Justin Ochal, who has coached them for the past three years as varsity boys coach at PNRA/Mercer. 

“Coach deserves a lot of the credit for getting us to this point,” said Stoddard.  “Over the years, he has worked with us on technique and conditioning but also has taught us a lot about the mental part of rowing,” added Stoddard.

“Coach always finds opportunities to give us lessons on character, teamwork, and commitment,” commented Hickey. “He really cares about the guys he coaches,” he added.

The pair will continue training at Mercer Lake until they depart for Lithuania.  They are fundraising to help cover the costs associated with competing at a world championship.  More information is available at www.nrf.rallyme.com/rallies/8073. 

Other PNRA/Mercer junior rowers have seen success in competition this summer as well.  Emmanuelle Adamson (Princeton, NJ) and Eli Kalfaian (Millstone, NJ) were invited to be part of the U.S. Junior National Development Team and competed in CanAmMex events at Elk Lake in British Columbia, Canada this past weekend.  Adamson rowed in the girls’ varsity eight with coxswain boat which took first place.  Kalfaian rowed in the boys’ varsity eight with coxswain which also took first place.  Adamson and Kalfaian will return to PNRA/Mercer in the fall and serve as co-captains for the team. 

About the Princeton National Rowing Association 

The Princeton National Rowing Association, a 501c3 organization, operates the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center located on the shores of Mercer Lake in West Windsor, New Jersey.  The Princeton National Rowing Association is dedicated to operating a world-class training site for our nation’s elite athletes, providing opportunities for area youth to excel in the sport of rowing and to expand rowing in the greater Mercer County area through community based programs.  The Mercer Junior Rowing Program provides rowing opportunities for the youth from over 25 Mercer County area high schools. The center is a home to the USRowing National and Olympic Teams, as well as rowing clubs and schools, including the Hun School, Lawrenceville School and Peddie School. PNRA received generous support from JLRacing, Holiday Inn and Residence Inn by Marriott. 

For more information, contact Kristopher Grudt, tel: 609-977-1094, krisgrudt@rowpnra.org or visit www.rowpnra.org.

PNRA/Mercer Rowers Compete at USRowing Youth National Championships

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Mercer Juniors Varsity Women’s 8+ at the 2017 Youth National Championship in Sarasota, FL.

June 12, 2017

West Windsor, NJ – The Princeton National Rowing Association’s Mercer Rowing Club had six boats turn in impressive performances at the 2017 USRowing Youth National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida on June 9-11, 2017.   PNRA/Mercer’s women’s youth eight with coxswain (8+) finished seventh in the nation by edging out Nashville at the finish line in the Petite Final.  PNRA/Mercer had trailed Nashville most of the race but started walking through their competitor in the final 200 meters of the race.  The PNRA/Mercer 8+ crew finished about four seats up and a time of 6:34.78 minutes.  

“We started our sprint with 400 meters left in the race, which is earlier than we usually start it, but we had to do that to catch Nashville,” said senior coxswain Caroline Galati (West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South). “I kept saying ‘Beat the A Final times’ to motivate them, and we got our split down to 1:30 for the last one hundred meters,” Galati added.  A split represents the time required to travel 500 meters or one quarter of the race.  Other members of the PNRA/Mercer women’s 8+ included co-captains senior Celia Varga (Princeton Day School) and Laila Shehab (Hunterdon Valley Central High School), junior Katryna Niva (Hunterdon Valley Central High School), junior Emmanuelle Adamson (Princeton High School), senior Katie Lustig and junior Kieran Wild (both from Council Rock North High School), as well as juniors Mia Barkenbush and Sara Hansen (both from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South).   

First-year coach girls’ coach Matt Carlsen also saw his women’s youth 4 with coxswain (4+) and women’s youth lightweight 8 with coxswain (lightweight 8+) finish 12th and 15th in the nation.  The women’s youth 4+ was a Cinderella story for PNRA/Mercer, as the boat did not qualify for the national regatta during the rainy and stormy Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships in May but received their bid through the petition process.  By winning a spot in the Petite Final, the crew showed they deserved their spot.  The women’s youth 4+ included junior Peri Mishkin (Allentown High School), senior Grace Wonnell (West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South), sophomore Sarah Closser and junior Bridget Parker (both from Princeton High School) and coxswain junior Lauren Preston (Notre Dame High School). 

The PNRA/Mercer lightweight 8+ featured senior Sheila Kennedy-Moore (Princeton High School), junior Maheera Bawa (Montgomery High School), sophomore Jacqueline Armetta (Villa Joseph Marie High School), junior Taylor Vierling (Northern Burlington High School), freshman Eveline Enthoven (Princeton High School), sophomore Chloe Couillens (Hopewell Valley Central High School), juniors Julia Berdzik and Erin Dobbs (both from Notre Dame High School) and coxswain junior Maddy Peel (Princeton High School). 

Justin Ochal in his second year as Mercer Program Director and third year as Boys’ Varsity Coach boys was pleased with the performance of his two pairs (2-).  The boys rowed in borrowed boats because their own boats were damaged during a Sarasota thunderstorm when another club’s boats that were not tied down properly were blown onto the PNRA/Mercer boats.  Despite this setback, one pair consisting of junior Evan Kinter (Steinhert High School) and senior Lachlan Mersky (Haddonfield High School) finished eighth in the nation and the other pair consisting of junior Andrew Moss and junior Dana Gajewski (both from Princeton High School) finished 13th in the nation. 

PNRA/Mercer’s men’s youth lightweight 4 with coxswain (lightweight 4+) qualified for the Petite Final as senior coxswain Sarah Brune (Lanoka Harbor, NJ) pushed her crew hard during the qualifying time trial on Friday. For the 2017 Youth National Championships, USRowing altered the regatta format by replacing 2000-meter heats with 1900-meter time trials in the initial round.  Some crews found the new format difficult because their spring seasons featured 2000-meter races side-by-side with the competition. Some regatta spectators missed the competitive drama of side-by-side heats and the opportunity to see crews from different regions race each other. 

Along with Brune, PNRA/Mercer’s lightweight 4+ crew, which finished 12th in the nation, included sophomore Alex Brodowski (Pennsbury High School), senior Enzo Couillens (Hopewell Valley Central High School), sophomore Brady Stergion (Notre Dame High School), and senior Tyler Harris (West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North).   

The PNRA/Mercer men’s youth 8+ crew finished 17th in the nation.  The crew included sophomore Jack Gallagher (Council Rock North High School), co-captain senior Daniel Stoddard (West Windsor Plainsboro High School South), senior Chris Silva (Hopewell Valley Central High School), junior Eli Kalfaian (Delaware Valley Regional High School), co-captain senior Andrew Hickey (Notre Dame High School), co-captain senior Carter Levine and freshman Leon Deng (both from Princeton High School), senior Rex Berger (The Hun School), and coxswain senior Kate Takacs (Princeton Day School). 

PNRA/Mercer will begin its summer season soon.  In addition, many of the PNRA/Mercer rowers and coxswains will assist with instructing new rowers at the club’s renowned summer camps for middle-school and early high-school-aged athletes who wish to get involved with rowing.  For more information on PNRA/Mercer summer camps, visit www.rowpnra.org.

 

About the Princeton National Rowing Association 

The Princeton National Rowing Association, a 501c3 organization, operates the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center located on the shores of Mercer Lake in West Windsor, New Jersey.  The Princeton National Rowing Association is dedicated operating a world-class training site for our nation’s elite athletes, providing opportunities for area youth to excel in the sport of rowing and to expand rowing in the greater Mercer County area through community based programs.  The Mercer Junior Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for the youth from over 25 Mercer County area high schools. The center is a home to the USRowing National and Olympic Teams, as well as rowing clubs and schools, including the Hun School, Lawrenceville School and Peddie School. PNRA received generous support from JLRacing, Holiday Inn and Residence Inn by Marriott.

 

For more information, contact Kristopher Grudt, tel: 609-977-1094, krisgrudt@rowpnra.org or visit www.rowpnra.org.

PNRA/Mercer Rowers Win Bids to USRowing Youth National Championships

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Mercer Rowing Program Men’s Varsity 8+ racing at the Mid-Atlantic Junior Regional Championship on Mercer Lake.

May 15, 2017

West Windsor, NJ – In spite of torrential rain on Saturday and associated changes to the racing schedule mandated by USRowing officials, the Princeton National Rowing Association’s Mercer Rowing Club earned six bids to the 2017 USRowing Youth National Championships by winning medals at the Mid-Atlantic Youth Championships.  PNRA/Mercer boats have been invited to compete in the women’s youth eight with coxswain (8+), the men’s youth 8+, the women’s youth lightweight 8+, the men’s youth lightweight four with coxswain (4+), and two crews in the men’s pair without coxswain (2-) events at the National Championships taking place at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida, on June 9-11, 2017.  Sending six boats to compete in the USRowing Youth National Championships would be a high-water mark for the club, which is led by Justin Ochal in his second year as Mercer Program Director and third year as Boys’ Varsity Coach.  

Hosted by PNRA, the Mid-Atlantic Youth Regional Championships took place on Mercer Lake in Mercer County, NJ this past weekend and featured crews from 42 clubs and schools based in five states and the District of Columbia.  It is one of twelve USRowing regional qualifying regattas held this month leading up to the national championship regatta for high school aged crews. 

Weather conditions on Saturday resulted in a decision by race officials to utilize a single time trial in qualifying events to determine invitations to the Youth National Championships, rather than the usual two-day progression of heats, semi-finals, and finals.  In a time trial, each boat is sent out at a regular interval and races against the clock to secure the fastest time.  The crews with the three fastest times in each event with more than three entries were awarded medals.  

PNRA/Mercer placed first in the women’s youth eight plus coxswain event by a wide margin, despite the challenging circumstances.  “Time trials can be difficult because no crews are around you to help you measure how you are doing,” said co-captain senior Celia Varga (Princeton Day School).  

“The weather conditions were not optimal,” said co-captain senior Laila Shehab (Hunterdon Valley Central High School). “But experiences like that are going to make you a better rower, technically and mentally.” 

“We couldn’t worry about things beyond our control.  We had to lay it all on the line, listen to our coxswain, and row our own race,” added Varga.  The boat was coxed by senior Caroline Galati (West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South) and in addition to Varga and Shehab, included junior Katryna Niva (Hunterdon Valley Central High School), junior Emmanuelle Adamson (Princeton High School), senior Katie Lustig and junior Kieran Wild (both from Council Rock North High School), as well as juniors Mia Barkenbush and Sara Hansen (both from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South). 

PNRA/Mercer’s men’s youth 8+ crew experienced an odd turn of events related to its time trial.  When results were posted initially, PNRA/Mercer was announced as the first-place boat. Later, after individual judges’ stop watches were re-evaluated, Gonzaga High School was listed with a time of 6:30.08, just ahead of PNRA/Mercer’s 6:30.29.  Both crews received bids to the Youth National Championships where they are likely to compete against each other once again.  The PNRA/Mercer men’s youth 8+ crew includes sophomore Jack Gallagher (Council Rock North High School), co-captain senior Daniel Stoddard (West Windsor Plainsboro High School South), senior Chris Silva (Hopewell Valley Central High School), junior Eli Kalfaian (Delaware Valley Regional High School), co-captain senior Andrew Hickey (Notre Dame High School), co-captain senior Carter Levine and freshman Leon Deng (both from Princeton High School), senior Rex Berger (The Hun School), and coxswain senior Kate Takacs (Princeton Day School). 

The other medal-winning boys’ crews were the lightweight 4+ which included sophomore Alex Brodowski (Pennsbury High School), senior Enzo Couillens (Hopewell Valley Central High School), sophomore Brady Stergion (Notre Dame High School), senior Tyler Harris (West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North) and coxswain Sarah Brune (Lanoka Harbor, NJ), one pair consisting of junior Andrew Moss and junior Dana Gajewski (both from Princeton High School) and one pair consisting of junior Evan Kinter (Steinhert High School) and senior Lachlan Mersky (Haddonfield High School). 

“We’re taking twice as many guys to Nationals this year, in three different boat classes.  It shows how everyone—from the veteran seniors to the underclassmen—is stepping up to make this a big year for Mercer,” commented co-captain Andrew Hickey. 

The other nationals-qualifying boat is PNRA/Mercer’s lightweight 8+ with the crew of senior Sheila Kennedy-Moore (Princeton High School), junior Maheera Bawa (Montgomery High School), sophomore Jacqueline Armetta (Villa Joseph Marie High School), junior Taylor Vierling (Northern Burlington High School), sophomore Caitie Vinch-Buck (The Pennington School), freshman Eveline Enthoven (Princeton High School), sophomore Chloe Couillens (Hopewell Valley Central High School), junior Julia Berdzik and coxswain junior Lauren Preston (both from Notre Dame High School). 

Co-captain Laila Shehab commented on the culture that first-year coach girls’ coach Matt Carlsen has fostered on the team. “A lot of the girls have learned to push themselves farther than they thought they could.  Coach Matt always says, ‘It’s never enough’.  He can joke and have fun, but he’s no nonsense when it comes to racing.  We’re always racing each other at practice.  We push each other. The lightweight 8+ pushes the varsity 8+. They are little beasts. I’m so excited for them to compete at Youth Nationals and have their first experience competing at that level.  It’s such good racing and then they will bring that knowledge back to the club.”  

About the Princeton National Rowing Association 

The Princeton National Rowing Association, a 501c3 organization, operates the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center located on the shores of Mercer Lake in West Windsor, New Jersey.  The Princeton National Rowing Association is dedicated operating a world-class training site for our nation’s elite athletes, providing opportunities for area youth to excel in the sport of rowing and to expand rowing in the greater Mercer County area through community based programs.  The Mercer Junior Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for the youth from over 25 Mercer County area high schools. The center is a home to the USRowing National and Olympic Teams, as well as rowing clubs and schools, including the Hun School, Lawrenceville School and Peddie School. PNRA received generous support from JLRacing, Holiday Inn and Residence Inn by Marriott. 

For more information, contact Kristopher Grudt, tel: 609-977-1094, krisgrudt@rowpnra.org or visit www.rowpnra.org.

 

Mercer Rowing Year End Banquet!

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Mercer Families,

Congratulations to all of the Mercer Junior rowers on the great performances at a challenging Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships!

Please join us to celebrate the Mercer Juniors and all their accomplishments this season! All families are invited to attend the Mercer Banquet on May 16th at 6pm.

We need to provide the Hamilton Manor with the number of people who will attend, so if you have not already registered, please do so! (headcounts are due Monday morning, May 15)

Banquet Details
When: May 16th – 6pm-9pm
Where: Hamilton Manor (30 Route 156, Hamilton Township, NJ 08620)
RSVP: $38 per person – Register here!
Attire: Business casual

We look forward to seeing you there!

Mercer Banquet 2017

Katelin Guregian Joins Princeton National Rowing Association Staff

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For Immediate Release

April 21, 2016

West Windsor, NJ – The Princeton National Rowing Association (“PNRA”) is pleased to welcome Katelin Guregian to our team as the Manager of Community Development.    In this position, Ms. Guregian will work to develop a philanthropic base for PNRA, especially to support the expansion of the Caspersen Rowing Center.  Slated to break ground in March 2018, the expansion will more than double the size of the facility ensuring PNRA’s continued role as a premiere rowing center in country.

“I’m thrilled to be joining PNRA in the Boathouse Expansion campaign,” stated Ms. Guregian. “The Caspersen Rowing Center is a central part of my life, in regards to my Olympic training as well as my role coaching the Junior Girls. I’m passionate about all of the rowing opportunities at PNRA for masters, juniors, and elite athletes, and am so excited to be part of the future of Mercer.”

As the coxswain of the Winter Park High School Men’s 8+, Ms. Guregian won the 2005 Scholastic Rowing Association National Championship on Mercer Lake.  While at the University of Washington, Katelin steered their men’s team to multiple Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championships.  Since 2009, she has been a member of USRowing’s Princeton Training Center.  Katelin has coxed the USA women’s 8+ to two Under-23 World Championships, four Senior World Championship Gold medals and an Olympic Gold Medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.  She has also served coach for PNRA’s Mercer Junior Rowing Program.

“We are pleased to welcome Katelin to our organization,” said Kristopher Grudt, Executive Director of PNRA.  “She brings a wealth of knowledge about our sport and a drive which will make her successful directing our development activities.  I look forward to her contributions to not only PNRA but our community.”

 

The Princeton National Rowing Association, a 501c3 organization, operates the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center located on the shores of Mercer Lake in West Windsor, New Jersey.  The Princeton National Rowing Association is dedicated operating a world-class training site for our nation’s elite athletes, providing opportunities for area youth to excel in the sport of rowing and to expand rowing in the greater Mercer County area through community based programs.  The Mercer Junior Rowing Program which provides rowing opportunities for the youth from over 25 Mercer County area high schools. The center is a home to the USRowing National and Olympic Teams, as well as rowing clubs and schools, including the Hun School, Lawrenceville School and Peddie School. www.rowPNRA.org

For more information contact Kristopher Grudt, 609-799-7100 x100, krisgrudt@rowpnra.org