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Mercer Junior Rowing

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

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.

 

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 Junior Rowers Finish In Top 10 at C.R.A.S.H.-B. World Indoor Rowing Championships

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February 15, 2017

West Windsor, NJ – Three Mercer Junior Rowers finished in the top ten of their divisions of the C.R.A.S.H.-B. World Indoor Rowing Championship on February 13, 2017.  Andrew Hickey led the Mercer Rowers by finishing 3rd with Jack Gallagher finishing 7th in the Lightweight Men’s Division.  Sara Hansen finished 5th in the Lightweight Women’s division to lead the Mercer women competing in the event.  The C.R.A.S.H.-B. Championships bring athletes from around the world to Boston, MA, to compete by rowing 2,000 meters on indoor rowing machines.  2017 marked the 38th year of the C.R.A.S.H.-B. event. 

Mercer Junior Andrew Hickey at 2017 C.R.A.S.H.-B.

Andrew Hickey finished the 2000 meter race in 6:23.9, just under three seconds behind the winner in a Lightweight Junior Men’s field that featured 190 rowers.  Mr. Hickey who is a senior at Notre Dame High School has committed to row for Cornell University next fall. Jack Gallagher (Council Rock North) finished in 6:32.2 to finish in 7th place.  Also representing Mercer in the Lightweight Junior Men’s division was Pavel Zhelnin (Princeton HS) and Evan Kinter (Steinert).  Representing Mercer in the open Junior Men’s Division was Brian Radvany (Princeton Academy) who finished in 41st and Andrew Moss (Princeton HS) 44th.

Sara Hansen finished the race in 7:28.6 to earn a third place finish in Lightweight Junior Women’s field of 107 athletes.  Ms. Hansen is a junior at West Windsor Plainsboro South.  Emmanuelle Adamson (Princeton HS) and Mia Barkenbush (West Windsor Plainsboro South) led the Mercer Juniors in the open Junior Women’s division contingent finishing 23rd and 36th out of almost 200 rowers.  Sarah Closser (Princeton HS), Taylor Vierling (Northern Burlington), Kieran Wild (Council Rock North) and Morgan Linsley (Princeton HS) also competed in the open Junior Women’s division.

“We are very proud of the strong performance by our rowers,” stated Director of Mercer Rowing Justin Ochal. “Most of them set personal records at the event.  It is a good sign as we prepare for our spring racing season.”  The Mercer Juniors open their spring season at the San Diego Crew Classic on April 1-2 in San Diego, CA.  They return home the following weekend to take on Boston’s Community Rowing and Gonzaga High School.

The Mercer Rowing Program is operated by the Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA) located Caspersen Rowing Center in West Windsor, NJ.  The Mercer program is open to all student-athletes from 8th-12 grades.  PNRA also conducts the Mercer Masters Rowing Program and holds summer learn to row camps for 7th-12th grades. For more information on PNRA’s programs go to www.rowpnra.org.

The Princeton National Rowing Association will host its own indoor rowing event, the Mercer Indoor Row for the Cure, on February 26, 2017 at the Peddie School. All proceeds for this event will go to support breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Central and South Jersey.

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 received generous support from Killarney’s Publick House, JLRacing, Bai, 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.

Del Val wrestling’s old-fashioned ways produce state title (Mentioning Mercer Junior Eli Kalfaian)

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Lehigh Valley Live article on Del Val wrestling’s old-fashioned ways produce state title mentions Mercer Junior Rower Eli Kalfaian: http://highschoolsports.lehighvalleylive.com/news/article/-3596329867152441544/del-val-wrestlings-old-fashioned-ways-produce-state-title/

 

Patagonia Order Form! Due December 7th!

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Hello!

I hope you all enjoyed your holiday! We have 3 more weeks until the next break and we are hoping to get the Patagonia gear in before the end of the year (this is tentative). Because of this timeline the order form will close WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7TH! This gives everyone a week to fill the order form out.  https://goo.gl/forms/AECxkRSupxK6Pi3U2

We have the same gear and team discount as last Spring: 1/4 zip sweater, rain jacket, and backpack. Pictures, color, and price are on the Order Form. This is a great holiday gift idea!

The order form will have 3 questions. This is an example of how to answer:

What do you want to order?  Women’s Better sweater

How many do you want? 2

What size? M & L (if you want 2 of the same size there is an ‘other’ option)

Their are enough blanks (asking “What do you want to order?”) for you to order one of every item. Checks can be mailed to PNRA or dropped off, please make them out to PNRA. Please contact me with any questions you may have! aklaibershort@rowpnra.org

GO MERCER!

Matthew Carlsen and Amanda Klaiber-Short Join Princeton National Rowing Association Staff

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For Immediate Release

West Windsor, NJ

September 12, 2016

The Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA) is pleased to announce the addition of Matthew Carlsen and Amanda Klaiber-Short to the Mercer Rowing Program coaching staff.  Mr. Carlsen joins the program as the Women’s Varsity Head Coach and Master’s Head Coach.  Ms. Klaiber-Short joins the staff as the Novice Rowing Coordinator and Novice Girls Coach.

Matthew Carlsen

matt-carlsenMatthew Carlsen joins the Mercer Rowing Program coaching staff after coaching at Saint Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio.  Coach Carlsen started the rowing program at Saint Edward in 2012. Since then, the program has grown to over 70 athletes and enjoyed increasing levels of success.  In 2015 the Saint Edward Men’s Junior 8+ placed 1st at the Scholastic National Championships (SRAAs) and in 2016, the Saint Edward Men’s Varsity 8+ placed 3rd at SRAAs.

Coach Carlsen began his rowing career in high school as a coxswain.  He continued his rowing career at Miami University of Ohio where he served as team captain for three years.   He graduated in 2012 with a degree in Marketing and Decision Sciences from the Farmer School of Business.

Amanda Klaiber-Short

amanda-klaiber-shortAmanda Klaiber-Short attended the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) where she was a member of the rowing team for four years. Ms. Klaiber-Short graduated from UCSB in 2013 with a degree in Psychology.  After graduation she was an Assistant Coach at ZLAC Rowing Club in San Diego, CA and most recently served as an Assistant Coach at Camp Randall Rowing Club in Madison, Wisconsin.

PNRA is pleased to welcome both coaches to the PNRA Mercer Rowing family.

 

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 University Orthopaedic Associates, Harry’s Army Navy, JL Racing, Resolute Racing Shells, Wells Fargo Advisors-Gould Group, Red Roof Inn, Hampton Inn and Residence Inn by Marriott.

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

Honest mistake leads to passion for coxswain Holgado

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By Rich Fisher, Mercerspace.com

During the summer after her eighth-grade year at Pond Road Middle School, Sydney Holgado’s mother, Leilani, decided to register her daughter for a beginner’s rowing camp. But Leilani got a little mixed up with her Princetons.

So, instead of Holgado participating in the Princeton National Rowing Association’s Mercer Rowing Club program, she attended the much-higher caliber Princeton University Elite camp.

For more . . .

PNRA/Mercer Rowers Win Henley Gold

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August 8, 2016

West Windsor, NJ – The lightweight pair of Kyle James and Jack Gleim of Princeton National Rowing Association’s Mercer Rowing Club won a gold medal in the Under 23 category at the 134th Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, the premier summer event for rowers in North America. The victory at Henley marked the pair’s first international win. James and Gleim will represent the United States in the lightweight pair event at the 2016 Under 23 World Championships, August 21-28 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.1DSP6288_pm 200 - U23 Men Ltw 2- Final

“We wanted to compete at Henley to work out the kinks before the World Championships, race more crews, have fun, and win Henley gold,” said James, who will be a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Gleim will be a senior at Marietta College in the fall. The pair won by more than three boat lengths with a time of 6:48.28 in the 2,000 meter race.

Gleim appreciated the learning opportunities provided by the progression from the heat to the semifinal to the final at Henley. “In our heat, we went against the plan we had set with our coach and switched our oar clams at the starting line. This made our oars heavier than needed and as a result, we didn’t get a rhythm going in the headwind. In the final, we stuck with our plan and our coach’s advice and had a much better race. At Worlds, I’ll be sure to have complete confidence in our plan and preparation,” said Gleim.

James and Gleim rowed together at PNRA/Mercer during their years at Princeton High School and West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South respectively but hadn’t rowed together for three years before reuniting to train with Coach Skip Kielt as part of PNRA/Mercer’s Under 23 Summer Rowing program. Gleim was the catalyst for the creation of the pair. Determined to find a pair partner to make a long-shot run at qualifying for the World Championships, he had his former PNRA/Mercer teammate high on his list. The two had rowed together in a varsity 8 with coxswain in the Grand Final of the 2012 USRowing Youth National Championship Regatta.

“Jack called me in February and suggested that we try to qualify for the World Championships as a lightweight pair, and I turned him down!” said James. Gleim did not give up on James, though. By May, James had recovered from an injury and was preparing to compete at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association’s National Championship Regatta in Wisconsin’s lightweight 4 with coxswain boat. “I changed my mind and committed to row with Jack. In college, you train so much and race just a little. There are more opportunities for racing in the summer.” One of those racing opportunities was the 2016 Under 23 World Championship Trials on July 18 -22 at their home course in West Windsor, NJ where the pair’s enthusiasm for racing resulted in victory and the opportunity to race again as representatives of the United States.

James and Gleim are in the process of fundraising to help cover the costs associated with competing at a world championship. More information is available at nrf.ralleyme.com.

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 received generous support from Killarney’s Publick House, JLRacing, Bai, 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 Juniors Open Home Regatta Season With Medals at the Mercer Lake Sprints

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Mercer Juniors Men’s 4- crossing the finish line ahead of their competition.

PNRA/Mercer opened its spring racing season by hosting Mercer Lake Sprints on April 16 and 17. The regatta drew 45 rowing and sculling clubs to compete with nearly 2,500 competitors, providing an opportunity for varsity and novice rowers to see how they stack up against their competition after a long winter of indoor conditioning and training.

PNRA/Mercer came away with five gold medals, six silver medals and four bronze medals in total.

The boys’ gold medals were primarily in the varsity 8 plus coxswain events; PNRA/Mercer won gold medals in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th varsity 8 events. The boys straight 4 (no coxswain)  also placed first for a gold medal. The boys also earned silver and bronze medals in the varsity pair event and a silver medal in the 2nd novice 8 plus coxswain.

The girl’s straight 4 (no coxswain) edged out rival Connecticut Boat Club to win the gold medal.  The girls lightweight athletes won a pair of silver medals in the varsity girl’s 8 with coxswain and the varsity girl’s 4 with coxswain.   The girls varsity 8 with coxswain and girl’s 2nd varsity 4 with coxswain earned bronze medals in their events.  The girl’s 2nd novice 8 with coxswain picked up a silver medal and the 3rd novice 8 with coxswain earned a bronze medal.

The race line-ups for the Mercer Boats were:

Girls Straight 4 – Katie Lustig (Council Rock North), Laila Shehab (Hopewell Valley), Mia Barkenbush (West Windsor Plainsboro South), and Rachel Mumau (Millstone Township)

Girls Lightweight 8  – Coxswain  Sydney Holgado (Robbinsville), Sheila Kennedy-Moore (Princeton), Jacqueline Armetta (Villa Joseph Marie), Jenna Kugel (Montgomery), Kathryn Miller (Steinert), Elise Gorberg (West Windsor Plainsboro North), Eileen Hu (West Windsor Plainsboro South), Caitlin Cleary (Princeton) and Sara Hansen (West Windsor Plainsboro South).

Girl’s Lightweight 4 – Coxswain Sydney Holgado (Robbinsville), Sheila Kennedy-Moore (Princeton), Jacqueline Armetta (Villa Joseph Marie),  Lauren Miller (Steinert) and Catherine Vinch-Buck (Pennington)

Girl’s Varsity 8 – Coxswain Colleen Gillis (Freehold Township), Eileen Hu (West Windsor Plainsboro South), Bridget Parker (Princeton), Rachel Mumau (Millstone Township), Mia Barkenbush (West Windsor Plainsboro South), Laila Shebab (Hopewell Valley), Katherine Lustig (Council Rock North), Sara Hansen (West Windsor Plainsboro South) and Caitlin Cleary (Princeton)

Girls 2nd Varsity 4 – Coxswain Caroline Galati (West Windsor Plainsboro South), Kieran Wild (Council Rock North), Ciara DeVenuto-Wyeth (Pennsbury), Sarah Closser (Princeton) and Glorianna Perrote (Monroe)

Girls 2nd Novice 8 – Coxswain Ellie Micallef (Robbinsville), Eveline Enthoven (John Witherspoon), Yingyi Liang (Princeton International), Hiran Shyamsundar (Community Middle), Olivia Andersen (John Witherspoon), Eileen Yang (Community Middle), Morgan Linsley (Princeton) and Mary O’Boyle

Girls 3rd Novice 8 – Coxswain Paige Hansbury (Pennsbury), Abigail McAleer (Newtown Middle), Amy Garry (Pennington), Drishti Devani (Thomas Grover), Sunny Hu (Thomas Grover), Caroline Sullivan(Princeton Charter), Milana Asadpour, Emaan Anwar (Princeton Charter) and Parkman Moseley (Princeton Day)

Boy’s Straight 4 – Jack Gallagher (Council Rock North High School), Kevin Borup (South Brunswick), Carter Levine (Princeton High School), and  John Tanguay (Hopewell Valley)

Boy’s 2nd Varisty 8 – Coxswain Sarah Brune (FLVS), Andrew Moss (Princeton), Will Grimes (Hopewell Valley) , Magnus Andersen (Princeton), Albert Bergeron (Hun), Christopher Silva (Hopewell Valley), Julius Ferenc (Ranney), Tyler Harris (West Windsor Plainsboro North) and David Pe (West Windsor Plainsboro North)

Boy’s 3rd Vasrsity 8 – Coxswain Rohan Patel(West Windsor Plainsboro North), Dana Gajewski (Princeton), Chase Panfili (Lawrence Middle), Sullivan Hughes (Princeton), Kyle Sutera (Burlington Township), Brian Radvany (Princeton Academy), Evan Kinter (Steinert), Enzo Couillens (Hopewell Valley) and Brian Karp (Hopewell Valley)

Boy’s 4th Varsity 8 – Coxswain Anubhav Suri, Brandon Chow, Spencer Stengle, David Dortch, Morolayo Ayodele, J.P. Brown (Hopewell Valley), Robert Rittenhouse, Chris Gibson and  Brandon DePaulis (Hun)

Boy’s Varsity Pairs –  Grant Barthelmes (Ranney)and Jason Fleurial (Princeton); Daniel Stoddard (West Windsor Plainsboro South) and Andrew Hickey (Notre Dame)

Boy’s 2nd Novice 8 – coxswain Diana Higgins (Notre Dame), Jonathan Ignarski (Robbinsville), Curran Folino (Wilberforce School), Andrew Yan (Princeton Charter), Nick Casilli (South Brunswick), Conall O’Neill (Chapin), Andrew Gosek (Holy Ghost), Darin Khan ((Community Middle) and Jackson Ikenberry (John Witherspoon)

 

Princeton National Rowing Association Congratulates Mercer Athletes on College Commitments

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April 15, 2016

West Windsor, NJ – Princeton National Rowing Association’s Mercer Rowing Club (PNRA/Mercer) proudly congratulates our high school seniors as they commit to attend some of the nation’s elite universities in the fall.

2016 Mercer Spring Photos-1a
Top row: Albert Bergeron (The Hun School),Will Grimes (Hopewell Valley HS),David Pe (West Windsor Plainsboro HS North), Brandon De Paulis (The Hun School), Ani Shyansundar (West Windsor Plainsboro HS North), Joseph P. Brown (Hopewell Valley Central HS), Nikhil Modi (West Windsor Plainsboro HS South), Jason Fleurial (Princeton HS), Kevin Borup (South Brunswick HS), John Tanguay (Hopewell Valley Central HS) Bottom row: Eileen Hu (West Windsor Plainsboro HS South), Elise Gorberg (West Windsor Plainsboro HS North), Kathryn Miller (Steinert High School), Caitlin Cleary (Princeton HS), Kate Hickey (Notre Dame HS), Rachel Mumau (Millstone Township), Glorianna Perrotte (Monroe HS), Colleen Gillis (Freehold Township HS), Jenna Kugel (Montgomery HS), and Sydney Holgado (Robbinsville HS)

Albert Bergeron (The Hun School) – University of Delaware

Kevin Borup (South Brunswick High School) – Columbia University

Joseph P. Brown (Hopewell Valley Central High School) – Boston University

Caitlin Cleary (Princeton High School) – Brown University

Brandon De Paulis (The Hun School) – Hobart College

Jason Fleurial (Princeton High School) – Cornell University

Colleen Gillis (Freehold Township High School) – Miami University

Elise Gorberg (West Windsor Plainsboro HS North) – Boston University

Kate Hickey (Notre Dame High School) – Stanford University

Sydney Holgado (Robbinsville High School) – University of California, Berkeley

Eileen Hu (West Windsor Plainsboro HS South) – Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jenna Kugel (Montgomery High School) – Naval Academy

Kathryn Miller (Steinert High School) – University of Pennsylvania

Rachel Mumau (Millstone Township) – Clemson University

Glorianna Perrotte (Monroe High School) – University of Miami

John Tanguay (Hopewell Valley Central High School) – Columbia University

Will Grimes (Hopewell Valley Central High School) will continue his studies at the Kent School and plans to row there as well.

Eighty percent of PNRA/Mercer seniors have plans to continue rowing after high school.

“Being recruited to row in college can really help a student through the admissions process,” says Mercer Program Director and Boys’ Varsity Coach Justin Ochal. “There are a lot of college rowing teams but not a lot of high school aged kids that live in areas where they can join a competitive rowing program like PNRA/Mercer. Kids learn to row with us and by their second, third, or fourth year of rowing, they might be competing at the national-level. PNRA/Mercer has a good reputation among the colleges because our student-athletes tend to be successful at the collegiate level.”

Senior co-captain Kevin Borup offers the following advice to athletes who are interested in trying out rowing. “They should start by signing up for a summer novice camp. If they enjoy the sport, then they should sign up for a novice season with Mercer Juniors. PNRA/Mercer has an amazing program, as our coaches are former collegiate and national team athletes themselves. We train out of the Caspersen Rowing Center in Mercer County Park, which has great facilities for us to use. Our team has some of the best rowers in the area and they all started somewhere.” Information on summer camps for middle school and high school age athletes is available at www.rowpnra.org.

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 received generous support from Killrney’s Publik House, JL Racing, Swift Racing, Bai, 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.