Hello Varsity Parents,

Thank you for coming to the parents meeting! My apologies for the slide presentation not working. You can view the PowerPoint presentation here: FallVarsityParentsMtg2018.

Thank you!

Hilary Gehman

Greetings Parents!

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

Varsity Parents: Saturday, September 15

Novice Parents: Saturday, September 22 

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

Good Evening,

This year, the varsity girls program has added some optional injury prevention and strength training sessions in the mornings. These workouts are meant to help prevent injuries throughout the season and gain strength/endurance. These are totally optional. I repeat these are optional. No attendance will be taken.  Attendance at these practices WILL NOT affect boat placement.

These will begin at 5:45am, and end by 7:00am. If someone has to leave early, they can just leave early. If you cannot make it, please do not worry. These are optional.

The girls will be lifting at the boathouse some days, and meeting at the Princeton stadium to run stairs and hills the other days.

The schedule is below. Again, these are optional.

9/6/2018: Boathouse
9/10/2018: Princeton Stadium
9/12/2018: Boathouse
9/14/2018: Boathouse
9/17/2018: Princeton Stadium
9/19/2018: Boathouse
9/21/2018: Boathouse
9/25/2018: Boathouse
9/27/2018: Boathouse
10/2/2018: Boathouse
10/4/2018: Boathouse
10/8/2018: Princeton Stadium
10/10/2018: Boathouse
10/12/2018: Boathouse
10/24/2018: Boathouse
10/26/2018: Boathouse
10/31/2018: Boathouse
11/2/2018: Boathouse

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Coach Matt

Due to the excessive heat and heat advisories, the Mercer Junior Rowing practices scheduled for Wednesday, August 29 are canceled.

We will still have the Open House tonight @ 6:45!!!

 

Go MERCER!!!!

Due to the excessive heat and heat advisories, the Mercer Junior Rowing practices scheduled for Tuesday, August 28 are cancelled.

Due to the excessive heat and heat advisories, the Mercer Junior Rowing practices scheduled for Tuesday, August 28 are cancelled.

Hi all! This is just a friendly reminder that practice beginsTomorrow, August 27 from 4-6: 45 pm. for varsity tryouts. 

Additionally, a reminder there is an open house for prospective rowers on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29th from 6:45-8pm. Please encourage anyone you know who might be interested in seeing what the sport is all about to attend!

Thank you and see you all next week!

Mercer Coaches

Hello Mercer Athletes and Parents!

We will not be having practice at the BH on Sunday, September 2nd and Monday, September 3rd for Labor Day Weekend. Please look to the respective Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls Facebook pages for workouts to complete on your own.

Looking forward to getting back into the swing of things next Monday!

GO MERCER!!!

Hello Mercer Parents and Athletes,

This is a reminder that the Small Boat Sculling Program starts tomorrow July 30 at 5:30 AM.

Looking forward to sharing sculling with our athletes!

 

GO MERCER!!!

Good afternoon, Mercer Parents,

Saturday is the Philly Youth Regatta.  Below are the logistics for the event.

LOCATION: The regatta will be held in Philadelphia on the famous Schuylkill River! For information on directions please click here. The address to use for GPS is: 2200 Kelly Drive, Philadelphia PA, 19129 (Address is the St. Joe’s (Gillin) Boathouse).

DROP OFF: All athletes should arrive 2 hours before their scheduled race time. Please drop your athlete off at the Mercer boat trailer, which will be parked in the lot adjacent to the St. Joseph University (Gillin) boathouse. Once an athlete arrives at the trailer on race day we require their undivided attention and focus. Parent presence around the trailer causes a distraction for both coaches and athletes. After your athlete’s race is over and they have been dismissed by their coach they are allowed to be picked up.

PARKING: Be aware that parking is extremely limited and that the section of Kelly Drive along the racecourse (from above the boathouse to beyond the grandstand) will be closed to traffic during the regatta. IN ORDER TO PARK AT THE COURSE, YOU MUST PRINT THIS PARKING PASS AND DISPLAY IT IN YOUR WINDSHIELD.

WEATHER: Saturday is scheduled to be very hot. Please make sure athletes come prepared with sunscreen, water, hat, and sunglasses.

FOOD/BEVERAGES:  If your son is racing, please send him with extra water for the team.  If your daughter is racing, please send an extra box of cliff bars for the team.  Please have your athlete bring his/her own snacks, beverages, lunch.

LINE UPS:  Are posted here 

Cost:  $40  Pay Here

Hello, Varsity Mercer Athletes and Parents,

The Fall Varsity Season starts on Monday, August 27 at 4:00 at the Boathouse.  Please be on time to practice, and bring running shoes, a water bottle, hat, and sunscreen.  Athletes should be prepared for hot weather.

Practice Times are as follows:
Monday-Friday 4:00 – 6:30pm, Sunday 7:00 – 9:30am.  
There will be no practice on Labor Day, Monday, September 3.

Varsity Team Tryouts:
The first two weeks of practice (including Sundays), August 27 – September 7, will be the try-out period for athletes.  Athletes will be evaluated by running, erging, and general fitness. Please see the Blog for a more detailed description.  The Fall Roster will be posted after the completion of the try-out period. Please register for the tryouts. Once the roster has been released, athletes will be able to register for the fall season.

OPTION 2: 
For those who will be participating in Option 2 for your school please reach out to Coach Justin before you submit the online application.

Mandatory Varsity Parent Meeting:

Saturday, September 15, 9:00 am at the Boathouse

SAT, ACT, College Recruitment Visits:

These are the days’ athletes may schedule tests and college visits.  Athletes must follow the Absentee Protocol for any additional missed practice days.

SAT & SAT subject test:  November 3, December 1,2018; March 9, 2019

ACT:  December 8, February 9, 2019

College Visits:  August until the 26th, Sept 8-9, September 15-16, Thanksgiving and Presidents Day weekends.

Fall Varsity Regattas:

• Tail of the Fish- September 29, 2018
• Head of the Housatonic – October 6, 2018
• Head of the Charles – October 20, 2018
• Head of the Schuylkill October 27-28, 2018
• Head of the Halloween October 27 (Those not selected for HOS)
• Philadelphia Frostbite –November 10, 2018
• Bill Braxton Regatta – November 11, 2018

 

Please see the Blog for more detailed descriptions of these regattas, costs, travel plans, and who will attend.

Coaches Justin Ochal and Matt Carlsen

GO MERCER

 

Great racing to all crews today at club nationals. This is a reminder that anyone not racing at club nationals tomorrow or this weekend has practice tomorrow and Friday at regular time from 1-3pm. The weekends is off and then the schedule returns to normal next week in preparation for Philly Youth. Thanks and go Mercer!

Good Moring, Mercer Athletes and Parents.

Club Nationals LINEUPS:  Please click HERE to find the tentative lineups for this weekend.  If there are any changes to these lineups, the athletes will be notified at practice, and you will be notified through the blog.  

As a Reminder: This Regatta is an “away” regatta and there is a trip fee, but we will not be traveling as a team to the event, as the site is reasonably close to where most athletes live. Parents (or the athletes themselves) will be responsible for getting athletes to the regatta site for races. In addition, athletes will be responsible for their own food and drinks. CLUB Nationals Trip Fee

The Cooper River Park is located in Pennsauken, NJ.  The athletes should be dropped off at the intersection of North Park Drive and Cuthbert Drive, in Cherry Hill, NJ  08002. The Camden County Boathouse is located at 7050 North Park Dr, Pennsauken Township, NJ. Directions

Good evening Mercer Athletes and Parents,

Here you will find the tentative roster for Club Nationals. Lineups will be posted next week.

GO MERCER!!!!

Hello, Mercer Parents,

Congratulations to all those who race at IDR this past weekend! What a great showing!

This year Club Nationals is being held on the Cooper River in Camden, NJ July 11-15.  This is a prestigious regatta in which clubs from all over the country compete in events at multiple levels, including U17, U19, Intermediate, and Elite/Senior.  This year the U17 and U19 events will compete from Wednesday – Friday; and the Intermediate and Elite/Senior events from Friday – Sunday. The event is similar to Youth Nationals in that boats move through the progression of Time Trials, Semis, and Finals.  The link for this event is HERE.

This Regatta is an “away” regatta and there is a trip fee, but we will not be traveling as a team to the event, as the site is reasonably close to where most athletes live.  Parents (or the athletes themselves) will be responsible for getting athletes to the regatta site for races. In addition, athletes will be responsible for their own food and drinks.  

The Cooper River Park is located in Pennsauken, NJ.  The athletes should be dropped off at the intersection of North Park Drive and Cuthbert Drive, in Cherry Hill, NJ  08002. The Camden County Boathouse is located at 7050 North Park Dr, Pennsauken Township, NJ. Directions

As we get closer to the event, the coaches will post lineups and rosters, and there will be additional information about where to gather to cheer Mercer on.  

 

GO MERCER!

 

Due to weather, junior practice will be cancelled today. Please look to captains for alternative workouts posted on the boys and girls summer Facebook groups.

Good Afternoon, Parents and Athletes,

First of all, congratulations on qualifying for the USRowing Youth National Championships 2018.  This Regatta is the most prestigious event we enter every year, and it is only open by invitation to qualified crews from across the country.  This year, we are sending more boats than we have ever done, which is exciting, but which also poses some challenging logistics. Here is the roster of athletes going. Please read this entire email; it contains all the information about this event.  If you have any questions, please direct them to our Parent Coordinators: Girls: Jeb Barkenbush at jebarken@gmail.com; Boys:  Jennifer Closser at closserj@gmail.com.

 

Cost:

The cost for Youth Nationals is $1,400, and the link is HERE.  This fee covers the cost of transportation to and from the airport, airfare, hotels, transportation in California, meals, boat transportation, lake rental for practice, and fees for entering the competition.  

Location and Timing:

Lake Natoma, Gold River, CA
Racing is scheduled for June 8-10

http://www.usrowing.org/event/2018-youth-national-championships/

Travel Itinerary:

Depart Monday June 4
Transportation to Newark:  chartered bus (seats 56); departs the boathouse 3:45pm
United Airline Flight 2411 7:05pm out of EWR (Newark-Liberty); arriving 10:33pm in (SMF) Sacramento, CA.
Return Sunday/Monday June 10/11
UA 342 11:30pm out of SMF; arriving 7:30am EWR
Transportation to Boathouse:  chartered bus; ETA 9:00am

Hotel:

Fairfield Inn and Suites Sacramento Airport Natoma
2730 El Centro Rd
Sacramento, CA  95833

Meals:

Breakfast will be at the hotel each morning.
Lunch and dinner will be determined by boat, although there will be an emphasis on dinner as a team
Please have your athlete pack dinner/snacks for the ride to the airport on June 4, and money to purchase any addition food at the airport.  Mercer will not be providing dinner June 4.

Miscellaneous:

Please have your athlete bring some extra money with them.  There will be opportunities to purchase extra food, t-shirts, etc…  We do plan to take them to local grocery stores so we can have appropriate snacks on hand, but sometimes athletes wish to supplement.

The athletes are in California to compete on behalf of Mercer.  Unfortunately, this means that they will not be able to meet up with parents for lunch or dinner – they will need to remain with their boat and teammates, and to follow the coaches’ plans for preparation and racing.  However, if you are planning to come to Nationals to watch, feel free to reach out to Jeb or Jen – if there are opportunities for you to see your athlete outside of the competition, or to help out, they will let you know.  

Finally, thank you in advance to our chaperones:  Susan Kalfaian, Chip Kalfaian, Els Vandecandelaere, Heidi Appelgate, Ranjit Bawa, Jeb Barkenbush, and Jen Closser.  

Congratulations again, and GO MERCER
Coach Justin
Coach Matt

 

Good evening, Mercer Parents,

This weekend is the Mid-Atlantic Regionals Championships at Mercer Lake.  This regatta is the final regatta of the year for our club, except for those boats who qualify to go on to Youth Nationals.  Congratulations to all the Mercer rowers for all their hard work this year.

Attached here you will find the lineups for this weekend.  Parents, please drop off your athlete at the boathouse, and then proceed to the Marina side to view the races.  The Mercer Tent will be set up both Saturday and Sunday. There will be food for the rowers at the boathouse, but it is always a good idea to pack snacks and water.

It has been a pleasure coaching your athletes this year.

Coach Justin
Coach Matt
Coach Amanda
Coach Jamie

GO MERCER!

Hello Mercer friends and family!

This weekend is our race in Saratoga, NY! Previous blogs have mentioned lineups and schedules for those traveling with the team. For those not attending, the practice schedule is below:

Novice Boys: Regular practice Friday and Monday

Novice Girls: Regular practice Friday and Monday (Saratoga girls have optional practice Monday)

Varsity Boys: No practice Friday, Saturday, or Sunday; Coach Justin will provide workouts at practice today

Varsity Girls: No practice Friday, Saturday, or Sunday; all workouts were given out by Coach Matt

Please have your rower check the lost and found boxes! They are VERY full after Mercer Lake Sprints.

GO MERCER!!!

Hello Parents,

Our varsity and novice boats will be racing both Saturday and Sunday. This is a great opportunity for the novices to get more racing under their belts and experience an away regatta. This PDF will be your guide to getting ready for this awesome trip!

Trip Dates/Times: Rowers need to be at the Caspersen Rowing Center’s parking lot at 3:45 on Friday, April 28th. The drive to Saratoga is around 4 hours and we will NOT be stopping for dinner, please plan a to-go meal accordingly. Athletes will leave the racecourse Sunday around 5-6 PM and should be picked up in the parking lot (approx. 9:30-10 PM). Rowers will notify their parents when we leave, and give them a 45-minute warning before arrival.

Registration: Because this is not a home regatta, we have to pay for entry fees, transportation, housing, and food. The trip total is $400 and can be paid for here. If this cost is an issue, PLEASE TALK TO YOUR COACH! We do not want the cost of the sport to hamper any child from participating. Your rower must be registered before they leave Friday for the trip.

P.S. – If you do not register by May 13th you will incur a $15.00 late fee

Racing: Please check here for the Tentative lineups and schedule.

What to Bring: Please keep in mind the shared spaces we will have this weekend and try not to over pack! Below is a list of the essentials:

•   Racing Gear- White Mercer Shirt/Dark Blue or Black Spandex for novice, Unis for varsity
•   Socks, so many socks. Pack at least 2 pair per day
•   Underwear/sports bras
•   Sleepwear/loungewear
•   Sweatshirt/sweatpants
•   Rain gear, extra layers
•   Casual clothing for 2 days
•   Toiletries- toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner, soap, hairbrush
•   Sunscreen! Hats/visors/sunglasses
•   Phone and charger
•   A meal for Friday night and some $$ for snacks/swag at the racecourse
•   Any homework that needs to be completed over the weekend

Extra Items:

•   Hair ties and headbands
•   Small travel games
•   Specific snacks if you have allergies
•   *If you have any medications please let your coach know*
•   Blister tape/bandaids/Neosporin

Contact Information: If any issues arise please reach out to the parent coordinators first and then the coaches. If there is a problem we will reach out to you ASAP.

•   Amanda Klaiber-Short: 760-223-2064, aklaibershort@rowpnra.org
•   Jamie Hamp: 716-560-1858, jhamp@rowpnra.org
•   Jen Closser: 202-360-8683
•   Jeb Barkenbush: 609-712-3036
•   Kevin Heyeck
•   Kurt Kinter
•   Natasha Gajewski
•   Kimberly Cushman

Transportation: We have rented 15-passenger vans for this trip. The parent coordinators, Jamie, Amanda, and chaperones will be driving. If you plan on driving up and want to take your child home from the racecourse, please let a parent coordinator and coach know so our head count will reflect that change. The racecourse address is Lee’s Park, 1464 Route 9P, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Lodging: The team will be staying at:

Hilton Garden Inn

125 South Broadway

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

11 minute drive to the racecourse

Food: Please bring a meal for the ride up and money for a short dinner on the ride home after racing on Sunday. All other meals are provided for in the trip costs. Please let your coach know if you have any allergies or special dietary restrictions. It is never a bad idea to pack a couple snacks for the drive and race course!

 

Weather Forecast: The weather looks mixed for the weekend. Saturday will be a high of 60 degrees but possibly raining, so bring rain gear and a plastic bag to keep your clothes dry. Sunday is cooler with a high of 50 degrees and windy, so additional layers may be needed to stay warm (hats, gloves, etc)

Parents/Spectators: This race is a great opportunity to see some of the most competitive junior teams compete before regionals! If you plan on attending, please note that there are similar rules on race day like we have at a home regatta. Before the race the coach will need the rowers’ full attention and parents should not follow rowers to the trailer. After their race, the coach will debrief their rowers and then release them back to the parent/food tent. We appreciate parents following these rules; it helps their athlete’s focus and keeps parents safe from rogue boats and oars moving around. We also don’t mind parents spending time with their athletes as long as there is not an activity planned with the team.

GO MERCER!

Mercer Parents and Athletes,

Congratulations to all the athletes who competed this weekend at Mercer Sprints!  It was our first regatta of the season where our whole team competed together, and we entered in nearly 30 events.  We had a strong showing, and are looking forward to the next races.

On Friday, April 27th, select varsity and novice athletes will depart for the Saratoga Invitational in Saratoga Springs, NY.  The tentative roster is here. The final roster and trip fee will be posted by Wednesday. Below is the information about the event.

TRAVEL DETAILS:  

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

The vans will leave the boathouse no later than 4:30pm on Friday, April 27.  The athletes, coaches, and chaperones will be staying together at the Hilton Garden Inn in Saratoga Springs both Friday and Saturday night.  Racing is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. The vans will depart the course on Sunday by 5:00pm and return to the boathouse. ETA will be around 9-9:30.

All information regarding arrivals will be posted on the Parents’ Facebook Page, so please follow that feed for updates.  

Hilton Garden Inn – Saratoga Springs

125 South Broadway

Saratoga Springs, NY  12866

FOOD:

Athletes should bring their own dinner, snacks, and water for the ride up to Saratoga on Friday, and money to purchase dinner on the way home on Sunday.  Breakfast both Saturday and Sunday will be at the hotel, and lunch will be provided at the course both days at the Mercer Tent. Dinner will be catered at the hotel on Saturday night.  

RACE VENUE INFORMATION:

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

Lee’s Park

1464 Route 9P

Saratoga Springs, NY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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

 

GO MERCER!

Hello Parents,

Mercer Lake Sprints are TOMORROW!!! Please have your athletes here at the appropriate time their coach wants them at the Caspersen Training Center. If you are volunteering tomorrow please drop them off before your shift starts. We will not be able to retrieve any atheltes that will be on the other side of the lake. Please check here for any updates on the lineups. Check here for any updates about the regatta.

 

GO MERCER!!!!

Hello parents,

Here you will find the race schedule and the lineups for Mercer Lake Sprints!

Go MERCER!!!

Good afternoon, Mercer Parents and Athletes,

Mercer Sprints will be held this weekend at Mercer Lake.  A few items to be aware of for the weekend:

ATHLETE DROP OFF:  Please drop athletes off at the boathouse and proceed to the opposite side of the lake for spectating.  After your athlete’s race is over, and they have been dismissed by their coach, you can return to pick them up.

MERCER TENT:  There will be a Mercer Tent set up on the Marina side of the lake, where we can gather and cheer.  This is always a fun place to be, with lots of food, and Mercer families and alumni cheering! Parents, please watch the races from the Marina side, NOT the Casperson side:  the coaches and the athletes need to focus on the races without distraction.  Thank you in advance for honoring this request.

ATHLETE INFORMATION:  Novice athletes are asked to arrive wearing the white Mercer racing shirt and black spandex. Varsity athletes are asked to have their Mercer Uni for racing.  Please make sure athletes have appropriate layers for the weather, and extra snacks and water. There will be food on the boathouse side for the athletes, but many of them will be at the boathouse for much of the day, and they should come prepared with extra food and drink. If you have not yet done so, please sign up to help with the food for the parent’s tent and the athletes.

VOLUNTEERS:  If you have not yet done so, please sign up to volunteer HERE.  We host Mercer Sprints, and our volunteers’ help is invaluable. Please sign up!

LINEUPS:  Lineups will be posted by Wednesday this week.

Mercer Sprints is the first big regatta of the spring when all our athletes get the opportunity to race.  It is also a great way for the Mercer community to come together, meet new people, and enjoy two full days of racing.  Thank you for helping make this event a success.

GO MERCER!

Hello Parents,

Just sending out a reminder about practice this weekend. Due to the Knecht Cup, we will be having practice at Carnegie Lake.  Saturday and Sunday. Saturday 1-3:30 pm and Sunday 8-10:30.  We will launch from the finish line area, which is on Route 27 between Poe Rd and Dodds Lane.

 

GO Mercer!!!

Good afternoon, Mercer Parents,

This weekend was a great opening start to the spring season!  Much of this success is due to the efforts of our parents.  I would like to extend a special thanks to the following people, who helped make this weekend run so smoothly:  

CRI Chaperones, who drove in traffic, brought food, and took care of our athletes in Boston:

Els Vandecandelaere

Chip and Susan Kalfaian

Dave Gallagher (the late van!)

Rose Barkenbush

Jill Morrison

Jen Closser

Hostess gifts for all the Mercer athletes in Boston:

Helene Gallagher

Feeding our athletes on their way to Boston:

Jim Armetta

Taking care of all things Neczypor in Camden:

Jeb Barkenbush

Thank you all.

Go Mercer!

Coach Justin