Fall Season Underway

The fall programs at the Caspersen Rowing Center got off to a hot start in early September with three days of practices the first week being cancelled for the high heat, humidity and thunderstorms.

There are 180 juniors participating in the Fall program. 66 of these athletes are just beginning their rowing careers and there are 114 returning Mercer Varsity athletes. The Juniors race schedule this fall includes:

Head of the Housatonic, Oct 7

Head of the Buffalo, Oct 14

Head of the Niagara, Oct 15

Head of the Charles, Oct 22

Head of the Schuylkill, Oct 29

*Mercer Fall Classic, Nov 5*

*Philadelphia Frostbite, Nov 11*

*Bill Braxton Memorial Regatta, Nov 12*

*Mercer Lake races*

Hun, Peddie and a limited Lawrenceville program also took to the water early this month.

The Mercer Masters programs returned to the water this fall with 24 athletes. They are divided between a competitive and a recreational group which practice in the early morning. The Barge Warrior group continues this fall mid-morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For adults wishing to renew their love of being in a boat on the water or learn how to take their first rowing strokes, we do have opportunities available - contact Hilary Gehman (hgehman@rowpnra.org)

STEM to Stern Kicks Off Its Third Season

The third season of PNRA's STEM to Stern Program will kick-off on September 19th. This program is a collaborative venture between PNRA and Princeton University's Rowing Programs. It is affiliated with USRowing's national STEM to Stern program.

The goal of the program is to increase the diversity in our boathouse by introducing middle school students from areas of greater Trenton to rowing. The program is structured so that the students come to the Caspersen Rowing Center twice a week. Half of each day is spent learning to row and the other half on STEM activities emphasizing problem solving and critical thinking.

During the first two years of the program, there were 12 participants. Half of these participants have now moved up to high school rowing programs including the Mercer Program. We are looking to expand the program to 16 students this year.

The 13th Annual Mercer Oktoberfest

September 23rd, 2023 @ 6pm



Caspersen Rowing Center

Calling all Parents, Alumni Rowers and our Rowing Community!

Come join us to share seasonal food and drink!

Celebrate the spirit and camaraderie of Mercer Rowing!

Please bring your favorite beverage. Dinner will be provided.

We will spare you the pig pictures, but we will be roasting the whole hog for this event.

$30.00 per person with proceeds going to Mercer Rowing.

Purchase tickets online at www.rowpnra.org

Adults (21+)

USRowing Announces the 2023-2024 Scholastic Honor Roll

Congratulations to the Mercer Juniors who have been named to the USRowing 2023-2024 Scholastic Honor Role:

Nicolette Kirikian

Shivani Manikandan

Nathan Myers

Ashley Rohloff

Gabrielle Zammit

Here is a link to the USRowing announcement.

(watch for pictures in our next edition when they get back from their college visits)

Team USA Qualifies 10 Boats at the World Rowing Championships

Photo Finish of the USA W2x being edged at the line by Lithuania.

The USA rowers qualified boats in 8 of the 14 Olympic events and 2 of the 5 Paralympic boat events for 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and Paralympics at the World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia September 3-10. The World Championships provided the first opportunity for the team to qualify boats for the Paris Games. The USA will have an opportunity to qualify additional boats at the Final Qualification Regatta in May next year.

USA Rowers won 5 Silver medals and 2 bronze medals at the World Championships.

Silver Medalists:

• Lightweight Women's 2x - of Mary Jones and Michelle Sechser
• Men's 4- Justin Best, Nicholas Mead, Michael Grady, Liam Corrigan
• Women's 8+ - Emily Froelich, Margaret Hedeman, Jessica Thoennes, Regina Salmons, Alina Hagstrom, Brooke Mooney, Mary Mazzio-Manson, Charlotte Buck, Cristina Castagna
• PR3 Mixed 2x - Gemma Wollenschlaeger and Todd Vogt
• PR3 Mixed 4+ - Skylar Dahl, Saige Harper, Alex Flynn, Benjamin Washburne, Emelie Eldracher

Bronze Medalists:

• Lightweight Women's 1x - Sophia Luwis,
• Women's 2x - Sophia Vitas and Kristina Wagner

The USA qualified boats for Paris in the Women's 1x, Men's 2-, Women's 2-, Women's 2x, Men's 4-, Women's 4-, Women's 8+, Light Women's 2x, PR3 Mixed 2x and PR3 Mix 4+. Only Australia, Great Britain and the Netherlands qualified more boats that the USA.

Before leaving for the World Championships, all of the boats trained at the Caspersen Rowing Center. Thank you to all who opened up your homes to the national team rowers.

Mercer Rowing Fall Registrations Are Open

Registration for the Fall seasons of the Mercer Rowing Programs is still open.

Masters Registration Links

Job Openings

PNRA has the following positions that we are seeking to fill:

• Assistant Coaches
• Outreach Coordinator
• Development Manager

If you are interested or know someone who would be a good candidate please contact Kris Grudt (krisgrudt@rowpnra.org)

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Thank you.



Mercer Team gear is still available - hats, scarves, umbrellas, shirts . . .

Show your Mercer Spirit!

Contact Hilary Gehman