By Jennifer Zuch, Nereid Boat Club
June 14, 2024 – Sarasota, FL – Nereid Boat Club from Rutherford, New Jersey, made an impressive showing at the 2024 US Rowing Youth National Championships, held in Sarasota, Florida, winning gold, silver and bronze medals.
The Youth Nationals is the pinnacle event for high school rowers, providing a platform for the most talented and dedicated young athletes to compete at the highest level. The event not only highlights individual and team excellence but also embodies the spirit of perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Sending a club-record 39 athletes competing in nine boats, Nereid faced off against the fastest teams in the nation under the steamy Florida sun. All nine boats from Nereid Boat Club qualified for the semifinals, a testament to the skill and determination of these young rowers. Five boats advanced to the A finals, and four boats progressed to the B finals. This achievement alone marks a significant milestone for the club. However, Nereid's dedicated athletes did not stop there, securing a team record of three medals – one gold, one silver, and one bronze.
Winning Nereid’s first-ever national gold medal was the Women’s Under 17 4x (four rowers, 2 oars each), comprised of Julia Fila (Garfield), Eliana Fanders (Weehawken), Olivia Mendelsohn (Rutherford), and Emma Miguel-Rasteiro (Rutherford).
Capturing the second National silver medal in the team’s history was the Men's Youth 4- (4 rowers, 1 oar each) featuring Jack Taddei (Weehawken), Billy Bush (Rutherford), JP Sprayberry (Rutherford), and Ed Wang (Tenafly).
The Women’s Youth 4+ (4 rowers, 2 oars) coxed by Catherine Miguel-Rasteiro (Rutherford), with rowers Kate Rudolph (Hawthorne), Violet Lombardo (Montclair), Erin Kirby (Nutley), and Maeve Bogue (Chatham), took home the bronze.
Additionally, five more boats from Nereid finished in the top ten in the nation. The Women’s Youth 2v 4x finished 6th in the US, the Men’s Youth 2v 4x finished 7th in the US, the Men’s Youth 4x and the Women’s Youth 4x both finished 9th in the US, and the Men’s Youth 4+ finished 10th in the US.
Nereid Boat Club’s outstanding performance at the 2024 Youth Nationals underscores the strength and potential of its rowing program. Nereid accepts and trains rowers at all skill levels. Many of the rowers at Nationals had no rowing experience before coming to Nereid. The club looks forward to building on this success and continuing to develop exceptional rowers who excel on the local, regional, and national stage.
According to Head Coach Zach Spitzer, “We are elated to see the quality of racing that the team was able to show down in Sarasota. All the boats finishing in the upper echelon of the country really show the community and depth that is being built at Nereid. We are so excited for what the future holds, and grateful to the current athletes that are paving the way!”
For more information about Nereid Boat Club please visit www.nereidbc.org or contact Zach Spitzer, Head Coach, at headcoach@nereidbc.org.
About Nereid Boat Club: Founded in 1875, Nereid Boat Club is dedicated to the promotion and development of rowing. Located in Rutherford, New Jersey, the club provides programs for all levels, from beginners to competitive rowers, fostering a lifelong passion for the sport.