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

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For immediate release

May 23, 2018

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

 

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

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

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

About the Princeton National Rowing Association

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

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

PNRA/Mercer 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.

 

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/

 

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.

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.

 

Zach Spitzer Joins Princeton National Rowing Association Staff

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For Immediate Release

March 14, 2016

WDSC_0491est 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