Greenwich Crew Dominate Northeast Regional Championships

Greenwich Crew delivered a historic performance at the 2026 USRowing Regional Youth Championships, sending a program-record number of boats to the USRowing Youth National Championships and sweeping the Overall Team Points Trophy at Mercer Lake in West Windsor, New Jersey.

Competing against the top junior rowing programs from across the Northeast on May 16–17, Greenwich Crew amassed 864 points to claim the Overall Team Points Trophy, while also capturing both the Men’s and Women’s team titles. The team earned 16 medals overall, including an impressive 11 Northeast Regional Championships, highlighting the program’s depth across every level, from top varsity boats to novice squads. Greenwich Crew also qualified a record number of crews for the 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships, which will take place in Sarasota, Florida in June.

Greenwich Crew delivered statement wins in both marquee Youth 8+ events. The Women’s Youth 8+ captured gold with a winning time of 06:43.73 with Makayla Jaffe (coxswain) at the helm and rowers Elia Amaro, Alexandra Laverge, Victoria Bergholt, Kateri Daly, Katharine Kerko, Elisabeth Schmitz, Lynn Gulli and Tessa Murphy.

Not to be outdone, the Men’s Youth 8+ captured another regional title posting an impressive time of 05:53.42, with Averi Israel leading as coxswain with rowers Benjamin Brogan, Connor McDermott, Everett Andrews, Sam Wells, Henrijs Skirmants, Luke Weiksner, Kiran Schroeder and Henry Rockel.

The club continued to dominate across boat classes throughout the weekend. The Women’s Youth 4+ earned gold in 07:21.25 with Lila Mootabar (coxswain), and rowers Valentina Marchese, Maggie Barratt, Madeleine Martin, and Hope Hyde.

Greenwich Crew also excelled in the pair events, sweeping gold medals in both the Men’s and Women’s Youth 2-. In the Women’s Youth 2-, Tessa Murphy and Lynn Gulli captured first place with a winning time of 07:45.80, while Elia Amaro and Elisabeth Schmitz added a silver medal performance. The Men’s Youth 2- saw Connor McDermott and Luke Weiksner secure gold in 06:57.61, followed by teammates Benjamin Brogan and Sam Wells earning silver.

The second varsity boats added to the medal haul with impressive victories in both 2V 8+ events. The Women’s Youth 2V 8+ won gold in 06:53.88, rowed by Olivia Mingione (coxswain), Gabriela Estela, Niamh O’Donovan, Josephine Herman, Alexandria Nestoros, Evelyn Roach, Nuria Hoffman, Sumner Bowers, and Caroline Hopley.

The Men’s Youth 2V 8+ followed with another first-place finish in 06:02.55 with Nikash Bhandari (coxswain), and rowers Tyler Hatstadt, Hunter Zeppelin, Nicholas Hall, Vicente Estela, Ryder Garcia, Sean Mckenna, Theodore Nestoros, and Nicholas Riley.

Greenwich Crew’s dominance extended throughout the regatta, with victories spanning all categories. Men’s Head Coach Cary Wasserman emphasized the collective effort behind the performance, stating, “What stood out most this weekend was the depth and grit across the entire team. Every crew embraced the opportunity to compete at a high level, and the athletes delivered. Advancing a record number of boats to Nationals reflects the culture and commitment our athletes have built all season.”

The club’s consistent success is also a testament to the commitment, passion, and talent of Greenwich Crew’s coaching roster, including: Cary Wasserman, Paul Ruggeberg, Nicole Chaloux, Quentin Thibault, Darren Gary, Tripp Smith, Bert Harney, Martin Villanueva, Anna Yamamoto, Trent Boone, and Mike Wieneke, Director of Rowing.

Greenwich Crew’s younger athletes also delivered standout performances. The Women’s U16 8+ captured gold in 07:15.63 with Hannah Port (coxswain), Hannah Kutai, Adeline Collins, Eliza Harper, Kaelani Becker, Liv Hadley, Amaya Leah Ahsan, Arielle Levy, and Beatriz Hirsch. The Men’s U17 8+ earned another regional championship in 06:00.99, rowed by Caroline Stowe (coxswain), Edward Willott, Daniel Lisboa Da Cunha De Freitas, Cristopher Pomara, Eric Murphey, Kai Licznerski, Caleb Cha, Gabriel Bisio, and Alexander Greenberger.

Additional gold medals came in the Men’s Novice 8+, where the crew of Misha Joshi
(coxswain), George Loverro, Bennet King, Arman Johar, Eric Murphey, Rafi Begg, Caleb Cha, Theodore Choi, and Alexander Greenberger crossed the line first, and in the Women’s Youth 2nd 4+, rowed by Charlotte Caffray (coxswain), Bridget Hughes, Mal Zullin, Juliette Martinez, and Lauren van Hell.

Greenwich Crew’s depth was further demonstrated through silver and bronze medal
finishes across the regatta, including podium performances in the Men’s Youth 3rd 8+, Women’s U17 8+, Women’s U17 4+, and multiple additional events throughout the weekend.

With the success of the Northeast Championships, Greenwich Crew now shifts its focus to the 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships where the nation’s top junior programs will compete in a few weeks. Women’s Head Coach Paul Ruggeberg
confirmed that the team is ready for the challenge ahead, commenting,

“Nationals brings together the fastest boathouses in the country, and this team has earned its place on that stage. The athletes competed with tremendous composure and determination throughout Regionals, and we’re excited to carry that momentum to Sarasota.”

Greenwich Crew, established in 2005, is a premier rowing organization based in Greenwich, CT. Greenwich Crew fosters a community of athletes in an environment that is safe, challenging, and fun. Through hard work, integrity, and intentional inclusion, we strive to be the leading example of excellence in rowing.