Championship Regatta Coming to Overpeck Lake

The fourth annual Championship Regatta, directed by Teaneck's rowing coach, is planned at Overpeck Lake, the Bergen County Executive's Office announced Thursday. 

As many as 20 New Jersey high school teams will compete in the North Jersey Championship on the lake April 13, according to the county. College teams from top schools including Columbia University, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania will also take to the water in the Childs Cup, intercollegiate rowing's oldest cup event. 

The university teams will begin racing at 8:30 a.m. and the high school competition, featuring 38 events, will kick off at 10:30 a.m. 

Last year, Bergen Catholic made its rowing debut in the regatta as team captain Simon Lezaja took first place in the single rowers final with a time of 6:41.30, the two four-man teams of Smith/Weisbecker/Ciongoli/Niece and Harte/Kobierowski/Luglio/Jost placed second and third in the Novice 4x finals in 5:51.05 and 6:38.91 respectively. This year will be the first varsity season for the Crusaders rowing team.

North Jersey teams normally compete on the Schuylkill River and on the Cooper River in Camden. 

"Overpeck Lake, and its surrounding new County Park that opened in 2010, provides ideal conditions with its straight 2000-meter course and elevated spectator viewing areas. The lake delivers a more convenient venue for Bergen County's scholastic crew teams," the county said in a news release. 

The event is being organized by the Overpeck Community Rowing Association, formerly the Teaneck Rowing Club. Clemens Reinke, the Teaneck High School crew coach, will serve as regatta director. 

"To ensure safety and fairness the North Jersey Championship Regatta will be officiated by US Rowing officials," the county said. 

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