MERCER JUNIORS SPRING 2017
PROGRAMMING PLAN
2017 Spring Programming Schedule:
Varsity Spring Start Date: Monday, March 6, 2017
Novice Spring Start Date: Monday, March 20, 2017
Spring End Date: Monday, May 15, 2017 (For those athletes selected to participate at Youth Nationals, end date is Monday, June 12, 2017)
2017 Spring Practice Times:
Varsity: Monday-Friday, 3:45 pm – 6:15 pm; Tuesdays – OFF
Saturday, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm; Sunday, 7:00 – 10:00 am
Novice: Monday-Friday, 4:00p.m. – 6:00p.m.
Coaches’ Contact Information:
Varsity Boys: Justin Ochal – 609-799-7100 x101 jochal@rowpnra.org
Varsity Girls: Matt Carlsen – 609-799-7100 x102 mcarlsen@rowpnra.org
Novice Boys: Zach Spitzer – 609- 799-7100 x 103 zspitzer@rowpnra.org
Novice Girls: Amanda Klaiber-Short- 609-799-7100 x106 aklaibershort@rowpnra.org
Attendance Policy
We have standardized the attendance policy and procedure across all Mercer teams. In order for both coaches and athletes to have efficient and productive practices, our coaches prepare boat assignments each day in advance. We ask that all athletes give at least 24 hours notice if they must miss practice. If an athlete is boated and misses practice without notifying the coach, the athlete’s boat will not go out on the water that day, and the athlete who missed practice will not be boated the following day.
We have created an online form for athletes to fill out when they know they will miss a practice. The form can be found on our website by clicking “Programs/Mercer Juniors/Program Forms.” In the event that an athlete cannot provide 24 hours notice, please attempt to notify the coach via email, text message, or phone call as soon as possible.
Regatta Registration
Regatta fees are paid in addition to standard programming fees and are generally only required for away races. To register for a PNRA event or regatta, please go to the “Programs” section of our website and click “Mercer Juniors.” The link to Regatta Central will be found under the “Registration” section. Links will be posted at least 7 days before the event and should be paid prior to the day of the event. You will also be able to find links for registration on the MJRC blog.
MJRC Blog and Communication
All of our additional communication for the 2017 spring season will be posted on our programming blog. You can find the blog by going to our website, www.rowpnra.org, and locating the “Programs” tab at the top. If you hover over the tab, a drop-down menu will appear. Find “Mercer Juniors,” and another drop-down menu will appear for “MJRC Blog”. Please check the blog regularly, especially during racing season. Communication among parents only can be found on the “Parents of MJRC” Facebook page.
Please also take a moment to join the PNRA text list to receive our emergency messages (used in the case of a weather event or last-minute schedule change). You can do so by texting the message “PNRA” to 313131.
Line of Communication
1) For questions about the workouts/ Lineups or coaching decision the communication should be:
Parent<-> Rower <->Rower<-> Coach
2) For questions about logistics for race, concerns about safety and ????? etc.
Parent <-> Parent Coordinators
Parent Coordinators <-> Coach
Parent (or Coach or Parent Coordinators) <-> Mercer Committee
Injury Policy
It is imperative that athletes report injuries to coaches in a timely manner. If coaches are not informed that an athlete is injured, the coach could unknowingly push the injured athlete, potentially resulting in a more severe injury. If an athlete has an injury which requires medical attention, they must see a physician and provide a doctor’s note to his or her coach. A physician’s clearance is also required to return to practice.
Nutrition
Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook, Fifth Edition is a great read for those of you who are interested in learning more about what your athlete should be eating to fuel his or her growing body. Nancy Clark has a number of renowned clients who have relied upon her expertise in diet for sports conditioning to gain a competitive edge. She has advised members of the Boston Celtics (basketball) and Bruins (ice hockey), as well as many collegiate, elite, and Olympic athletes from a variety of sports. She is also the team nutritionist for the Boston Red Sox baseball team. http://www.nancyclarkrd.com/books/sportsnutrition.asp
Spring 2017 Condensed Schedule
San Diego Crew Classic – San Diego, CA; March 29 – April 3, 2017
CRI/Gonzaga/National Cathedral Scrimmage – Carnegie Lake, NJ; April 8-9, 2017
Mercer Lake Sprints – Mercer Lake, NJ; April 22-23, 2017
Saratoga Invitational – Saratoga, NY; April 28-30, 2017
US Rowing Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship – Mercer Lake, NJ; May 13-14, 2017
Boathouse Clean-up & Last Practice — Mercer Lake, NJ; May 15, 2017
MJRC Team Banquet – Hamilton Manor, Robbinsville, NJ — May 16, 2017
USRowing Youth National Championships – Sarasota, FL — June 7-12, 2017
Regatta Details
San Diego Crew Classic: March 29 – April 3 — Mission Bay, California
Race Background: This is the second time in program history that PNRA/Mercer will be sending a varsity boat from each program to compete at the prestigious San Diego Crew Classic. This is a great opportunity for our top boats to compete against West Coast teams. Lineup selection is expected to be finalized by March 14 and after that will change only in the event of injury, illness, or other emergency.
Number of Mercer athletes racing: Top eight of both varsity men and women
Estimated Cost: $1,550
CRI/Gonzaga/National Cathedral Dual Race: April 8th, 2017 – Carnegie Lake, NJ
Race Background: This race is a continuation of our annual dual race with CRI and Gonzaga. CRI and Gonzaga will travel to Princeton this year, and we will host their athletes overnight on Saturday, April 8 with racing scheduled for Sunday, April 9. This year we have also invited National Cathedral to attend with their top three varsity eights.
Mercer athletes racing: Varsity Men and Women
Athlete Hosting: We have started a tradition for this event where the home team hosts the visiting teams’ athletes. This year we will have 54 boys and 54 girls to house on Saturday night. As for athletes’ meals, we will eat dinner together on Saturday night, and host families will be responsible for providing a light breakfast on Sunday morning before athletes depart for their races. We ask that families sign up to host at least two visiting athletes and that adults (not athletes) provide all transportation while the visiting teams are here. Please sign up with one of the parent coordinators if you are interested in being a host for this event. (Please list if you have any pets at home). We need everyone’s help to make this run as smoothly as possible.
Tentative Schedule:
Saturday, April 8:
2:30 pm – CRI, Gonzaga, National Cathedral, and Mercer athletes arrive at Carnegie Lake to rig
3:00-5:30 pm – Practice
6:00-7:30 — Dinner (location TBD) and clean up
8:00 pm — Athletes depart to host families’ homes
Sunday, April 9:
8:30 am – Athletes arrive at Carnegie Lake to race
9:00-11:30 am — Racing
Estimated Cost: – $15-$25 for Mercer athletes
Mercer Lake Sprints: April 22-23 – Mercer Lake, West Windsor, NJ
Race Overview: The Mercer Lake Sprints will take place on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23. Varsity racing will start in the afternoon on Saturday, with most finals occurring on Sunday. We expect most Mercer athletes (including most novices) to race in this regatta. Tentative lineups will be posted no later than Friday, April 14, though lineups are subject to change up until race day.
Schedule/Web Link: http://www.rowpnra.org/MercerLakeSprints.cfm
Registration: Because PNRA/Mercer hosts and staffs the regatta, our entry fees are waived.
Saratoga Invitational: April 28-30 – Saratoga Springs, NY
General Overview: On Friday, April 28, the team will travel to Saratoga Springs, NY to compete in the Saratoga Invitational. This is a great opportunity to face very strong competition before Mid-Atlantic Regionals and Youth Nationals. Due to the competitive nature of the racing and the travel required, we will not be able to race all of our varsity athletes. The athletes traveling will be selected no later than Monday, April 24.
Travel Details: The vans will depart from the boathouse parking lot on Friday, April 28. Athletes should plan to report to the Conover soccer field parking lot at 3:45 pm, and the vans will depart at 4:30 pm. After racing, we will leave Saratoga at 5:00 pm on Sunday, April 30 and return to the boathouse by 9:00-9:30 pm.
Hotel Details: We are staying in Malta at the Hyatt Place, located in downtown Malta, NY. The hotel is about a 10-15 minute drive from the racecourse.
Hotel Info: Hyatt Place Saratoga Malta, 20 State Farm Place, Malta, New York 12020
Food: Each athlete should plan to bring his/her own dinner for the van ride to Saratoga on Friday evening. Once in Saratoga, however, all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners will be provided. Dinner on Saturday night and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings will be served at the hotel. Lunches will be provided at the regatta at the Mercer food tent, and athletes will have plenty of food from the tent to eat on the trip home.
Race Venue Information: The trailer, tent, and launch area for the race are at Lee’s Park, adjacent to the course. Parking is available for $15.
Rowing Course Address: Lee’s Park, 1464 Route 9P, Saratoga Springs, NY (518) 584-1951
Race Schedule: The race schedule will be available the week of the race and is typically very similar to the previous year’s regatta schedule, available at http://www.saratogarowing.com/saratoga-invitational.
Estimated Cost: $360
Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships: May 13-14 – Mercer Lake, West Windsor, NJ
Race Overview: This is the final race of the regular season for those athletes whose boats do not qualify for Youth Nationals. All Mercer athletes (including most novices) will typically race in this event.
Schedule: The schedule will be finalized before the race, but racing typically takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. If there are a lot of entries for some events, there may be some racing Friday evening.
Estimated Cost: Because PNRA/Mercer hosts and staffs the regatta, our entry fees are waived.
USRowing Link: http://www.usrowing.org/Events/RegionalRegattas/MAJuniors.aspx
USRowing Youth National Championships: June 7-12 — Sarasota, FL
Race Overview: Mercer crews will qualify for the National Championships by finishing in the top 3 spots of a qualifying varsity event at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.
Flight Details:
June 7: United Airlines Flight 1568. Departs Newark at 9:30 am and arrives in Tampa at 12:31pm
June 12: United Airlines Flight 1062. Departs Tampa at 10:15 am and arrives in Newark at 1:20 pm
Hotel Details: Hampton Inn Sarasota, 5995 Cattleridge Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34232
USRowing Link: http://www.usrowing.org/events/YouthNationals.aspx
[Estimated Cost: $700-850]
Parent Coordinators
Throughout the season, you may have questions about regattas, schedules, volunteering, etc. Your parent coordinators are here to help! Please feel free to contact any of the parents listed below for help answering those questions that pop up along the way.
Boys:
Helene Gallagher- helenehg@comcast.net
Nanci Levine – Mercer.Nanci@hotmail.com
Girls:
Jeb Barkenbush – jebarken@gmail.com
Jen Closser – closserj@gmail.com