Brothers Take Gold for CRC in Men's Double at Mercer Lake Sprints

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA – April 14 – Brothers Rainer and Rowan Arendt captured gold in the Men’s Varsity Double for Conshohocken Rowing Center (CRC) Sunday at Mercer Lake Sprints Regatta, with the Women’s Quad continuing to medal in every regatta, this time capturing silver in a tight race to the finish.

“I’m incredibly proud of the progress our CRC High Performance Juniors have made—not just in terms of results, but in how they’re developing as complete racers. Their maturity, discipline, and ability to adapt under pressure have grown tremendously this season,” said Aaron Preetam, head coach of the team. “It’s exciting to see them taking ownership of their performance, supporting one another, and embracing the hard work it takes to compete at a high level.”

CRC and Cambridge Boat Club quickly rowed to the lead in the seven boat Men’s Varsity Double final, with the two going neck and neck in open water ahead of the remaining field for most of the 2k race until CRC outsprinted in the final 250m to win by a mere 0.2 seconds in white-capped waters.

“I am proud of our young squad who held their own against some of the fastest teams on the East Coast in unfavorable conditions,” said Rainer. “To get back on the water after racing three times in the past 24 hours and end the weekend with gold in the double with my brother was incredible."

The Men’s Varsity Double final was the last race of the day for the regatta and the third race of the day for the Arendts. They began early Sunday morning with the Men’s Varsity Double time trial featuring 35 boats, followed by midday racing in the Men’s Varsity Quad with teammates John Hiester and John Walish.

Their quad took fourth in Sunday’s six boat final, keeping contact throughout the 2k and finishing just a second off of medals and four seconds off gold. The quad rose from an initial field of 21 clubs on Saturday, with their boat placing second in their qualifying heat. Hiester also competed in the Men’s Varsity Single on Sunday, finishing 7th in the finals, from an initial field of 38 competitors in the time trials, in which his teammate David Bauml finished 30th.

CRC’s Women’s Varsity Quad of Graciela Preetam, Beatrix Lay, Egypt Strickland, and Piper Konz won silver, continuing CRC’s streak of a podium finish for a women’s quad in every regatta since the team’s debut. The Varsity Quad had placed first in their qualifying heat on Saturday, breaking early and holding strong in a commanding open water win by 9 seconds, reaching the finals from an initial field of 12 clubs.

“I am so grateful for the talented rowers in my boat and for my teammates and our dedicated coaches,” said Ms. Lay. “I can confidently say that the high level of focus and effort we put into every practice has been paying off and will have us well prepared to be at our competitive best for regional and national events this spring.”

The Women’s Second Varsity Quad of Aubrey Lewis, Emiko Kubach, Molly Murphy, and Piper Konz also dominated in their qualifying heat, winning by 14 seconds and multiple boat lengths, leading for the full six boat race. The 2V quad could not compete in their event’s final due to a tight turnaround between the Varsity and Second Varsity events.

In small boat racing Sunday, CRC’s Aubrey Lewis and Molly Murphy took third in their heat in the Women’s Second Varsity Double. In time trials, Graciela Preetam and Egypt Strickland finished 4th of 23 in the Women’s Varsity Double, while Beatrix Lay and Emiko Kubach finished 10th and 15th respectively out of 25 rowers in the Women’s Varsity Single.

The Conshohocken Rowing Center Junior Competitive Race Team is composed of 12 high school rowers from across the region who were selected for their dedication, achievement, and performance on and off the water. The team is based in Conshohocken under the leadership of CRC executive director Craig Hoffman, head coach Aaron Preetam, and coaches Bill McNabb and Dylan Green who collectively bring more than 100 years of rowing expertise and mentorship to the program. For information, visit conshohockenrowingcenter.org. Interested rowers can apply for consideration at https://forms.gle/yZX7GdwsHRrHduQq8 .

Hometowns and Schools for CRC Juniors:

• Rainer Arendt (17), Philadelphia, PA (Julia R. Masterman School ‘25)
• Rowan Arendt (15), Philadelphia, PA (Central High School ‘27)
• David Bauml (15), Gladwyne, PA (Harriton High School ‘28)
• Piper Konz (16), Ambler, PA (Abington Friends School ‘26)
• Emiko Kubach (15), Wayne, PA (The Agnes Irwin School ‘27)
• John Hiester (17), Wynnewood, PA (Harriton High School ‘26)
• Beatrix Lay (17), Bryn Mawr, PA (The Grayson School ‘25)
• Aubrey Lewis (18), Wayne, PA (Conestoga High School ‘25)
• Molly Murphy (16), Bryn Mawr, PA (Harriton High School ‘26)
• Graciela Preetam (16), Philadelphia, PA (Germantown Friends School ‘26)
• Egypt Strickland (16), King of Prussia, PA (Upper Merion High School ‘27)
• John Walish (15), Wayne, PA (University Scholars Program, PALCS ‘27)