Row New Jersey achieved unprecedented success at the 2021 US Rowing Youth Nationals in Sarasota Florida. Youth Nationals is the premier spring season finale that crowns the top crews in the country. This year, sending the largest number of athletes in program history, Row New Jersey competed in 8 events with 37 rowers/coxswains in the Youth divisions. Four boats qualified in time trials and semi-finals for the Grand Final events with 2 boats taking home silver medals and 2 boats delivering top six finishes in the country – the best results ever delivered by the program.

Highlights included the Men’s Varsity Pair, consisting of Ian Oram and Ryan Spallone – competing against well-known crews from coast to coast. Capturing the first Row New Jersey Nationals medal in program history, Oram and Spallone delivered a photo finish win over Concord with a time of 7:13.048.

The Men’s Varsity 8 also captured silver in a grueling 2k fight for medal position. The team consisting of  Matt Morfogen, Andrew Treger, Emmett Infante, Wilson Morton, Max Nusbaum, Connor Gay, Thomas McKay, Noah Urrutia, with Maria Blandon coxing, not only delivered a second-place finish in the nation, but also the best performance for Row New Jersey, as well as any youth rowing team’s Varsity8+ in the state’s history.

Another history making event from Row New Jersey was the Girls Varsity 4+, who made it all the way to the grand finals to place 6th in the country – the first female boat to do so in program history. This team, composed of Emily Kilroy, Arielle Nusbaum, Elizabeth Enriquez, Kelly Kim with Kylie Deitz coxing.

Also taking top 6 in the country finishes included the Under 17 2- (pair) of Aidan To and Tristan Hamilton.

“This year marked a new height for the program with so many top performances at the national level.  I couldn’t be prouder of all the students, parents and our coaching staff for their hard work and patience over the last year that made a week like this possible.  I look forward to continuing to build the depth and breadth of this inclusive program.” said Rowing Director, Rob Welsh.

Row New Jersey, located at Lee’s Park Marina on beautiful Lake Hopatcong, offers masters, middle school and high school racing and learn to row programs throughout the year. For more information on Row New Jersey, visit the team site at www.RowNJ.org  or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.