PCRA nets massive medal haul, bests local competition at the Passaic
PCRA’s athletes made a splash at their annual trip to Lyndhurst, NJ for the Head of the Passaic this past weekend. It was a successful weekend for the club as it prepares for the world famous Head of the Charles Regatta. The boys squad had very impressive results, winning 5 medals in the Varsity 8+, Varsity 4+ and Varsity 4x, including a gold and bronze in the same event in the 4x! The Varsity 8+ finished just 16 seconds behind 2018 Youth Nationals Medalist Montclair, closing about 40 seconds in just two weeks. The boys squad hopes to bring this great momentum to Boston next week. The boys also had more results finishing just outside the medals, including a 5th in the a deep Novice 8+ field.
The PCRA ladies impressed as well, besting local rival City Island in every Varsity event entered, except the quad where PCRA passed the team from City Island early in the race, only to have a collision with another boat further down the course, having to settle for 4th. The Varsity 4+ finished an incredible 2nd place behind Mountain Lakes, despite the crew averaging only 14 years old! The PCRA boat had no rowers older than 15, yet was the only boat in the top 8 with anyone younger than 16! Continuing the trend of young phenoms, the Women’s Varsity 8+ was the youngest boat entered in the competition and finished a very solid 4th place against much older competition! Our ladies Novice 8+ and Novice 4x picked up hard earned medals as well, finishing silver in the 8+ and bronze in the 4x. These girls are all in their first year of racing, and picking up the sport quickly! Our JV 8+ finished just outside the medals but also had a strong performance.
“The PCRA ladies team has incredible depth, young talent, and upperclassman leadership. It’s such a great mix, and it’s been incredible to watch the girls transform into athletes who love to work hard, challenge themselves, and push their limits. It’s been an unbelievable year, the group is in a great place, and the sky is the limit!” says Youth Director Henrik Rummel. “I’m equally impressed with our boys team. For their success to come this quickly is a testament to the hard work and dedication put in by the athletes and coaches. Reid, Justin, Nick, Elizabeth and Ryan have done phenominal jobs, couldn’t be proud of the whole program!"
“It’s so special to have so many incredible coaches under one roof, we really feed off each other and bounce ideas off each other. It makes for a competitive boathouse and pushes the level of both teams higher.“
The PCRA Masters won 3 events, and medalled in two more for what was a successful day for PCRA athletes of all ages! All in all, PCRA won 13 medals total. Great day, great team effort!
We’re very proud of all our athletes, the work ethic and determination they’ve shown over the past few months this fall is infectious and admirable. It’s why we love this sport so much!
GO PCRA!!!