Collegiate, HS Rowers Race the Navesink

The third annual Ray Catena Rumson Boat Race was raced over the weekend in what were deemed perfect conditions on the Navesink River.

Top men's and women's collegiate crews from Army, Drexel, Rutgers and Villanova raced the 2000-meter course for the Governor's Cup and the Mayor's Cup trophies.

The Dragons of Drexel won the first varsity event, the Governor's Cup, while the Black Nights of the Hudson prevailed in the men's second varsity race, the Mayor's Cup. 

Army Crew's men's eight boated a crew of seven West Point cadets and one midshipman from the United States Naval Academy who is spending a semester at the United States Military Academy.  

The Middie, affectionately referred to as "Navy Boy", will return to the Brigade of Midshipmen during the exchange at half time of the Army-Navy game in December.

Coach Steve Wagner's Scarlet Knights rowed a tough race in the men's first varsity event. Rutgers has contributed more athletes to Olympic rowing than any other college in America. 

Coach Jack St. Clair's Villanova Wildcats turned in solid performances. St. Clair was a two-time US National team member.

The college races were followed by high school races from the newly-formed Central New Jersey Rowing Association with crews from R-FH Rowing, Westfield High and St. Joseph's of Metuchen.

The Coaches Reception at the home of Tim and Tami Horan was held on the evening before the race.  It was a successful event, featuring appearances by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno (a crew mom), Olympian Ted Nash, Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli, Coach Paul Savell, of Drexel, Colonel Pete Hanlon (R), of the Army Crew, Coach Steve Wagner, of Rutgers and Villanova's Jack St. Clair.

The evening was topped off with a boat christening naming  the "John Ekdahl" in honor of Rumson's Mayor with Lolly Ekdahl doing the honors (see the above photo).