CRC Takes Double Gold At Mercer Lake Sprints Regatta:

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA – April 19 – Conshohocken Rowing Center (CRC) battled the elements and many of the top teams from Washington D.C. to Boston at Mercer Lake Sprints Regatta to bring home six medal performances in seven races, with each of its 17 rowers reaching the podium at least once on the stormy Sunday.

CRC won gold in the Men’s Varsity Double for the second straight year at Mercer, this time with Hugo Rowbotham and John Walish, finishing first in the finals after recording the fastest time in the 30 entry time trials. CRC’s other gold medal of the day went to the Women’s Second Varsity Quad of Kiyoko Kubach, Madeline Nielson, Elsa Deitz and Eloise Goldfine, winning both their heat and their final. The Men’s Second Varsity Double of David Bauml and Grant Goldfine won their heat and finished second in the final to take silver.

Both Varsity Quads won bronze in their finals, with Piper Konz, Egypt Strickland, Emiko Kubach, and Graciela Preetam powering the scull for the women, and Graham Kokas, Rowan Arendt, Jackson Stoddard, and John Hiester for the men. Seven of the eight took to the water again to win bronze in the Mixed Eight, with Max Niescior in place of Kokas, and Eloise Goldfine coxing.

"This is a good start to the season and I was very proud of the team’s efforts, especially in difficult weather conditions,” said CRC Executive Director Craig Hoffman. “CRC High Performance Juniors are a strong and competitive team. We had some great success today, but we know there’s always more work to be done to build speed and rhythm as we move towards the regional and national championship regattas.”

This was CRC’s second race of the season which kicked off with the Steve Neczypor Memorial Regatta, where the team won all five of their races, winning both their race and overall event in the Women’s Varsity Quad, Women’s Varsity Double, Men’s Varsity Double and Women’s Junior Varsity Double, and their race in the Men’s Varsity Quad.

The Conshohocken Rowing Center Junior Competitive Race Team is composed of 17 rowers from across the region who were selected for their dedication, achievement, and performance on and off the water. The team is based in Conshohocken under the leadership of CRC executive director Craig Hoffman, head coach Aaron Preetam, and coaches Bill McNabb, Aislinn O’Brien and Evie Holder who collectively bring more than 100 years of rowing expertise and mentorship to the program. For information, visit conshohockenrowingcenter.org .

EDITOR’S NOTE: Hometowns and Schools for CRC Juniors:

• Rowan Arendt (16), Philadelphia, PA (Central High School ‘27)
• David Bauml (16), Gladwyne, PA (Harriton High School ‘28)
• Elsa Deitz (17), Bryn Mawr, PA (The Baldwin School ‘27)
• Eloise Goldfine (13), Bryn Mawr, PA (Radnor Middle School, RHS ‘31)
• Grant Goldfine (16), Bryn Mawr, PA (Radnor High School ‘28)
• Graham Kokas (17), Bryn Mawr, PA (The Shipley School ‘27)
• Piper Konz (17), Ambler, PA (Abington Friends School, ‘26)
• Emiko Kubach (16), Wayne, PA (The Agnes Irwin School ‘27)
• Kiyoko Kubach (15), Wayne, PA (The Agnes Irwin School ‘29)
• John Hiester (18), Wynnewood, PA (Harriton High School ‘26)
• Madeline Nielson (17), Gladwyne, PA (Harriton High School ‘27)
• Max Niescior (16), Wynnewood, PA (Harriton High School ‘27)
• Graciela Preetam (17), Philadelphia, PA (Germantown Friends School ‘26)
• Hugo Rowbotham (18), Bryn Mawr, PA (Radnor High School ‘26)
• Jackson Stoddard (17), Wyndmoor, PA (William Penn Charter School ‘27)
• Egypt Strickland (17), King of Prussia, PA (Upper Merion High School ‘27)
• John Walish (16), Wayne, PA (University Scholars Program, Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School ‘27)