Montclair first varsity 8 crew took first at state meet. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Spagnola Young)
Montclair first varsity 8 crew took first at state meet.
(Photo courtesy of Sarah Spagnola Young)

The Montclair High School rowing team picked up where it left off when it comes to the Garden State Scholastic Championships in Camden.

The Montclair women's junior varsity eight came in first place with a time of 5:17:54, beating the next fastest boat by seven seconds. (Photo courtesy Sarah Spagnola Young)
The Montclair women’s junior varsity eight came in first place with a time of 5:17:54, beating the next fastest boat by seven seconds. (Photo courtesy Sarah Spagnola Young)

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Mounties came to row, as nine of their 10 boats reached the finals and seven walked away with medals, including four state championship golds, a silver and two bronzes as the program celebrates its 20th year.

The Montclair women's junior varsity four finished third place with a time of 6:24:96. (Photo courtesy Sarah Spagnola Young)
The Montclair women’s junior varsity four finished third place with a time of 6:24:96. (Photo courtesy Sarah Spagnola Young)

“We are so happy to be racing at states again,” Montclair head coach Jeremy Michalitsianos said. “It’s been a tough couple of years for our athletes and our sport with COVID’s stops and starts, and we are extremely proud of the entire team for their performance here today (April 30). 

The Montclair second varsity team 8 took first with a time of 4:45.44 at the Garden State Scholastic Championships in Camden, New Jersey on April 30.(Photo courtesy of Sarah Spagnola Young)
The Montclair second varsity team 8 took first with a time of 4:45.44 at the Garden State Scholastic Championships in Camden, New Jersey on April 30. (Photo courtesy Sarah Spagnola Young)

“They’ve trained hard and winning four state championship titles makes us very happy. The boys’ winning the points trophy for the third time in Montclair history is also a proud accomplishment for us. Now we set our sights on Philadelphia City’s, Stotesbury and SRAA Nationals.”

The Montclair women's freshmen eight came in first place with a time of 5:32:10, the next fastest boat by five seconds. (Photo courtesy Sarah Spagnola Young)
The Montclair women’s freshmen eight came in first place with a time of 5:32:10, the next fastest boat by five seconds. (Photo courtesy Sarah Spagnola Young)

The Garden State Scholastic Championships included 45 New Jersey high schools and more than 240 boats.

The Montclair Junior Varsity 4 finished second with a time of 5:22.83 at the Garden State Scholastic Championships in Camden, New Jersey on April 30.(Photo courtesy of Sarah Spagnola Young)
The Montclair Junior Varsity 4 finished second with a time of 5:22.83 at the Garden State Scholastic Championships in Camden, New Jersey on April 30. (Photo courtesy Sarah Spagnola Young)

Montclair’s performance this year follows achievements in the 2020-21 season, in which the squads won championships at Stotesbury, the Scholastic Rowing Association of America meet and the Philadelphia meet.

— Information submitted by Friends of Montclair Rowing