Ridgewood Crew Wins Gold, Silver and Bronze in the North Jersey Virtual Scrimmage Series

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

 

Ridgewood  NJ, Just ahead of Ridgewood Schools going virtual on Friday, March 13, Ridgewood Crew (RC) delivered practice ergs to the homes of each of the 2020 Team Rowers’ homes. Since then, Coach Boris Roque-Alvarez has been issuing and tracking the practice and progress of his athletes virtually.

Despite most spring sports’ seasons being completely cancelled, the local rowing community has been participating in a dynamic series of virtual scrimmages where each athlete participates from their own home, competing for best time. 

The North Jersey Virtual Scrimmage Series is an unofficial, optional, virtual regatta series intended to help NJ junior rowers stay motivated during the season of COVID-19. The series was developed by Coach Marc Monplaisir of Don Bosco High School, in Ramsey, NJ. 1500m and 500m dash events are offered across the varied categories. 

Coach Roque-Alvarez recognizes the challenges of continuing the season, independently on ergs instead of on the water. After 4 months of indoor winter training, it takes true perseverance and dedication on the part of each individual athlete to continue training and competing, alone at home. But that’s what this team is all about. Identifying the challenge and building resilience to push through it. Coach Roque-Alvarez is very proud of his team. 

The North Jersey Virtual Scrimmage Series is scheduled for April 5, 19, May 3 and 17. 

Ridgewood Crew finished scrimmage one in second place behind Nereid Boat Club with 18 total points. They competed against 8 other clubs with a total of 117 entries. Ridgewood Crew athletes won 3 gold and 3 sliver medals. 

Individual results:

-Men’s 1x: 2nd Place, James Scalon, (4:59)

-Men’s Novice 1x: 7th Place, Michael Manevich, (5:58)

-Men’s Novice 4x: 2nd Place, Farres Kamel, Henry Hersperger, Thomas Clark, Jack Swartz, (5:43)

-Women’s 2x: 1st Place, Llian Riedel, Caroline Villemoes, (5:48)

-Women Novice 2x: 2nd Place, Cadence Ignoffio, Anna Mevissen, (6:46)

-Men’s 1x Dash: 1st Place, Gabriel Martinez (1:27)

-Women’s 1x Dash: 1st Place, Victoria Hoy (1:45)

-Men’s Novice 1x Dash: 5th Place, Kamel Farres (1:47) 

6th Place, Jaime Papin (1:53)

North Jersey Virtual Scrimmage Series #2 had ten clubs participate with a total of 110 entries. Ridgewood Crew won 3 Gold, 4 Silver and 1 Bronze. At this race, RC finished 3rd with 80 points behind Gwynedd Mercy Academy and St. Benedict Prep. In the Series after two scrimmages, RC is in 5th place with 151 total points. 

Individual results:

-Men’s HS 1x: 3rd Place, Ian Darby, (5:03)

-Women’s 4x: 1st Place, Lilan Riedel, Victoria Hoy, Eva Galbraith, Caroline Villemoes (5:47)

-Women’s Novice 1x: 5th Place, Kate Hoffman (7:23)

-Women’s Novice 2x: 2nd Place, Olivia Kim, Skylar Kliesch (6:18)

-Men’s 1x 500m Dash: 2nd Place, Matthew Lepis (1:29)

4th Place, Everest Galbraith (1:30)

6th Place, James Scanlon (1:31)

9th Place, Thomas Woods (1:36)

-Women’s 1x 500m Dash: 1st Place, Victoria Hoy (1:43)

2nd Place, Lilan Riedel (1:44)

4th Place, Jasmine Parpel (1:47)

7th Place, Sara Wong (1:53)

-Men’s HS Novice 1x 500m:2nd Place, Farres Kamel (1:35)

9th Place, Thomas Cheng (1:48)

10th Place, Ariel Reyes (1:49)

-Women’s HS Novice 1x 500m 4th Place, Cadence Ignoffo (2:08) 

-Men’s HS 1x Coxswain 500m 1st Place, Matthew Lee (1:46)

With two more scrimmages coming up, the team continues to train and prepare for success. 

Ridgewood Crew is lining up arrangements to return to the water as soon as NJ lifts the current Stay-At-Home order and it is safe to do so. All parties interested in joining Ridgewood Crew should investigate the Learn To Row Program on our website:  https://www.ridgewoodcrew.com