Montclair High School Crew Teams Have Memorable Season (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

MONTCLAIR, NJ — In a sport often dominated by private schools, the Montclair High School Crew rowers’ accomplishments this year are even more impressive.

As members of the MHS boys’ varsity eight crew team prepare to head off to the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England later this month, their supporters are preparing to make sure the talented group of rowers have the financial ability to make their hometown proud at the international event, which attracts some of the top athletes in the world.

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On Saturday, MHS crew members will hold a car wash fundraiser to support 10 rowers and a coxswain in the regatta. The fundraiser will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. at the George Inness Annex at 141 Park Street in Montclair. The Montclair High School Baking Club will also be on the scene, selling homemade baked goods to help raise funds for the Henley trip.

Car wash tickets are $10 and can be purchased online in advance here.

To learn more about the fundraiser, click here.

A SEASON TO REMEMBER

The Henley trip caps a memorable season for Montclair Crew.

According to a team news release, the last Montclair boat to race at Henley was the boys varsity eight of 2014, which had also won gold at States and Stotesbury. This year’s eight is undefeated, having claimed three consecutive top rowing championships, twice ending multi-year winning streaks for top private school teams.

On Saturday, June 10, the undefeated boys 1st varsity 8 captured the National Schools Championship as well, defeating the fastest boat in the Northeast region, the varsity eight from Kent, a Connecticut private school.

This year, MHS rowers captured:

• 18 Stotesbury medals (Gold, boys 1st Varsity 8; Bronze boys 2nd Varsity 8)
• 27 National Championship Medals (Gold, boys 1V8; Silver, girls 2V8; Bronze, boys 2V8)
• 5 New Jersey State championships (boys 1V8, boys 2V8, girls 1V8, girls 2V8, and girls freshman 8)
• 27 Garden State silver medals (boys JV8, girls lightweight double, boys freshman 8)

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photos: Karen Vrotsos