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
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
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
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.
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 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
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.
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 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 SheilaKennedy-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.
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
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.
West Windsor, NJ – The Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA) is teaming up with the Row for the Cure and the Peddie School to host the nation’s only indoor Row for the Cure. Athletes race each other on Concept 2 indoor rowing machines with all of the proceeds from the event benefiting breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Central and South New Jersey. Racing begins at 9:00am on Sunday, February 26, at Peddie’s Ian H. Graham ’50 Fieldhouse.
The Row for the Cure was created by Kathy Frederick in 1993 in Portland, Oregon, after she unexpectedly lost a close friend to cancer. “I saw the Race for the Cure on TV, and I wanted to contribute, but I’m not a runner,” said Frederick. “Since my sisters and I have put on events since we were children, fighting breast cancer by founding Row for the Cure® seemed natural.”
The Mercer Row for the Cure takes the event off of the water and into the gym on indoor rowing machines. PNRA Events Manager Hilary Gehman describes how the event got up and running. “I ran into Kathy at the USRowing Convention and we started talking about opportunities for a Row for the Cure event at Mercer. The regatta schedule on the lake is pretty packed so I asked about having an indoor event. She was very encouraging and has given me tremendous support to get this off the ground. I’m excited to make the Mercer Indoor Row for the Cure an annual event!”
The Mercer Indoor Row for the Cure will include categories for Junior, Collegiate, Open, Masters, Novice and coxswains as well as a team relay. All races will be 2,000 meters except the Coxswains and Junior Novices who will race 1,000 meters.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
The PNRA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the creation of a Board committee that will focus on the direction, programs and staffing of the Mercer Rowing Club.
PNRA has a multi-faceted mission, which includes:
Providing a world class training facility for our nation’s elite and Olympic athletes
Building opportunities for area youth to excel in the sport of rowing
Conducting top level regattas and events on one of the nation’s premiere rowing venues
Expanding rowing in Mercer County through community based programs
The Mercer Rowing Club plays a crucial role in achieving this mission, in that the club provides opportunities for both junior and masters rowers from Mercer County and throughout the region to learn, and then excel in, the sport of rowing, Additionally, Mercer provides critical volunteer support to the many regattas and events conducted by PNRA. After a series of discussions this spring across the Mercer Rowing Club community, the Board concluded that due to the growth and success of the Mercer programs in recent years, the creation of a committee focused on Mercer programs within the PNRA organizational structure would enable both PNRA and Mercer to flourish into the future. The PNRA board has directed that the newly established Mercer Rowing Committee:
Will dedicate time to Mercer specifically in the areas of structure, staffing, budgeting, communication and transparency,
Members will also be members of the PNRA Board, ensuring clear communication and unified governance: we will thrive together,
Will include both active Mercer families and alumni to provide a both current and longer-term focus
The overall goal is to continue to build upon and amplify the success of the Mercer programs while preserving the structure, organization and interdependence that benefits the whole of PNRA. The committee will serve as a focal point, independent voice, channel of communication and sounding board for Mercer within the PNRA Board, and will undertake longer range financial and organizational planning for Mercer than has been done in the past.
As the Mercer Rowing Committee begins work clarifying responsibilities, setting financial plans and undertaking near-term organizational planning for the ‘16/’17 Season, they will be reaching out to club participants (rowers, parents, alumni and coaches) for input and suggestions. This early feedback will also serve as the basis for development in the coming year of a five year master plan for club. Additional information about the committee is available on the PNRA website.
Initial members of the committee are Kristin Appelget (kristin93@alumni.nd.edu), Jamie Tanguay (JBTanguay@verizon.net), Stephen Parker (sdp31@icloud.com), Jim Stoddard (jamesstoddard@verizon.net) and Dave Kuhlman (davekuhlman@verizon.net). Please join the Board in thanking them for devoting their time and expertise to this important effort.
West Windsor, NJ – The Princeton National Rowing Association (“PNRA”) is pleased to welcome Zachary Spitzer to our team to coordinate our outreach activities. In this position, Mr. Spitzer will be responsible for PNRA’s Rowing is Growing (“RIG”) program. Rowing, the nation’s oldest team sport, builds team spirit, fitness and discipline. PNRA’s RIG program seeks to provide disadvantaged youth from greater Trenton and Mercer County opportunities to experience this by participating in rowing with peers that can challenge their life expectations and goals.
Mr. Spitzer is a 2015 graduate of Syracuse University where he earned a master’s degree in secondary education. Zach was introduced to rowing at Niskayuna High School in Niskayuna, NY. As a rower and team captain at Niskayuna, he had a successful career, twice qualifying for USRowing’s Youth National Championships. After rowing as a freshman at Syracuse, Zach returned to coach the Niskayuna Juniors program and the Aqueduct Rowing Masters Rowing Program.
“I am very excited to be able to expand PNRA’s reach into the community, and help coach the already great Mercer rowing team” said Zach Spitzer.
“We are pleased to welcome Zachary to our organization,” said Kristopher Grudt, Executive Director of PNRA. “He brings a drive to expand the reach of rowing in the greater Mercer County area. He is a great compliment to the members of our team and I look forward to his 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 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 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
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!
or immediate release
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.
est Windsor, NJ – The Princeton National Rowing Association (“PNRA”) is pleased to welcome Zachary Spitzer to our team to coordinate our outreach activities. In this position, Mr. Spitzer will be responsible for PNRA’s Rowing is Growing (“RIG”) program. Rowing, the nation’s oldest team sport, builds team spirit, fitness and discipline. PNRA’s RIG program seeks to provide disadvantaged youth from greater Trenton and Mercer County opportunities to experience this by participating in rowing with peers that can challenge their life expectations and goals.