SSRA National Champions, NJ State Champions, and Stotesbury Cup winners for two years in a row, Montclair’s eight set yet another record by winning the bronze medal at the US Rowing Youth National Championships, the sport’s highest junior competition, becoming the first public school to medal at US Youth Nationals in 10 years.
Montclair was the only school crew to reach the finals in this national event, which is dominated by elite rowing clubs that recruit rowers from across their regions. The Youth Nationals announcer commented on this noteworthy achievement during the semifinals: Montclair’s rowers and coxswain “all go to the same high school.”
Montclair’s eight faced desert heat, illness, and the disadvantage of a middle lane more affected by winds. Their ability was heralded by the announcer who noted that, for the first time in years, Youth Nationals was seeing a school boat with “podium speed.” An underdog spirit drove the eight, most of whom have rowed for years together for Montclair High School. They were determined to show the country what a New Jersey public school can do. The 2,000-meter racecourse posed a further challenge; schools typically race 1500 meters.
First and second place went to clubs from Sarasota Crew in Florida and California’s Oakland Strokes. Montclair’s eight upset Newport Aquatics Club, widely favored in the fierce three-part contest.
Montclair Rowing Head Coach Jeremy Michalitsianos, Assistant Coaches Julian Canha and Reuben Man, and Women’s Head Coach Lorna Rundle were onsite in Sacramento providing continuous coaching and strategic nutrition and hydration in the desert conditions.
Six of the eight are graduating seniors who have been recruited by Division 1 schools: Stroke (pace setter) Henry Vecchione, a captain, will row for Princeton. Coxswain Julianna Langhorn will cox for the University of Pennsylvania. Kenny Coplan (7th seat), a captain, will row for Harvard. Owen King (6th seat) will row for the UC-Berkeley. Paul Mihalis (5th seat) will row for George Washington University. Djoume Traore (2nd seat), a captain, will row for Temple. George Vrotsos-Rogers (bow) will row for the University of Delaware. Alex Abuhoff (4th seat) and Max Pursche (3rd seat) are a junior and sophomore.
Next up, in two weeks the Montclair eight, with two spares, will fly to England to meet the world’s top high schools at the Henley Royal Regatta on the Thames, July 4-9.
A fundraising car wash and bake sake, sponsored by The Little Daisy Bake Shop, will be held at the MHS Annex on Saturday, June 16, from 1pm to 5pm to help fund the trip.
The team also seeks support at https://www.mightycause.com/story/Montclairhenley2018 and is offering sponsorship opportunities.
For more information on sponsorship or support, please contact Mary Beth Weil at mbweil@me.com or Karen Vrotsos at kvrotsos@gmail.com or call Friends of Montclair Rowing at 917-319-9331.
Help Montclair’s winning crew get to the Henley Royal Regatta at the Montclair-to-Henley Car Wash
Saturday, June 16, 1-5 pm
Montclair High School, 141 Park Street.