Apr. 23, 2014:  The spring rowing season is just getting started for Bronxville High School athletes, and three of these athletes have already received recognition for the fall and winter seasons. In early April, senior Will Kirsten and juniors Christopher Bopp and Natalie Knight were named New York State Scholastic Rowing Association Scholar-Athletes. Kirsten, Bopp, and Knight are part of the varsity crew team at Pelham Community Recreation Association (PCRA). Two other local students who row with the PCRA varsity team were also given scholar-athlete recognition: Julia Sesler, who attends Riverdale, and Natalie Burke, who attends Fieldston.

The PCRA is a not-for-profit community program established ten years ago and is located on Glen Island in New Rochelle. PCRA offers many different programs for athletes of all ages, from beginners to seasoned rowers. The Bronxville students compete on the varsity team, along with students from Pelham, Mamaroneck, Scarsdale, Harrison, and several private schools.

There are six Bronxville High School students rowing this season: Kirsten, Bopp, Knight, Liam Aherne, Charles Vorbach and Caitlin Lillis. The team practices a total of six days a week and spends an hour and a half on the water off Glen Island. Practice on the water is followed by 45 minutes of land training. Members of the team also head to the gym three mornings a week. Practicing with students from other schools has been a positive experience for the Bronxville athletes.

"I love being in Bronxville," said Knight, "but it is also nice to get out of the one square mile. It is difficult not being able to see my friends in Bronxville, but I have met some of my best friends rowing."

Bronxville has had several athletic programs team up with neighboring schools, which enables the athletic department to offer more sports and gives the students an opportunity to compete with many new faces. This spring, the girls' softball team combined with Tuckahoe, and in the winter, swimming and skiing merged with New Rochelle.

PCRA is not affiliated with any high school, but nevertheless, students get a chance to compete against teams from all over, including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The first regatta will be held in Saratoga Springs on April 26 and 27.

Pictured here (rotating):  Members of the girls' rowing team from Pelham Community Rowing Association.

Photos by Charlotte Little (front view) and Melissa Johnson (side view)