Sports
"Powerhouse Years" Ahead For CBA Colts Crew
By Rob Lindston
MIDDLETOWN - The Christian Brothers Academy Crew team started five years ago as a club sport, gaining its current status as a varsity sport only two years ago. The newest addition to the CBA roster of teams, the CBA Crew team has proven that it has places to go and races to win.
Over the past five years, the team has been transformed from a group of friends looking to row into a very successful force that has is continually improving it's standing compared to much larger crews.
Under the direction of head coach, Scott Belford, CBA has placed well at the major regattas regionally and nationally, specifically Philadelphia City Championships, State Championships, Stotesbury Cup, and at the Scholastic Nationals.
Since 2006, the lightweight fours - four people weighing 150 pounds or less rowing 'sweep' (one oar per person) - have medaled at the Philly City Championships twice, been fourth twice at the Stotesbury Cup and second and sixth at Nationals.
This past season, the lightweight double won third at State Championships and second at the Stotesbury cup. The junior four won State Championships and got seventh out of a field of 54 crews at the Stotesbury cup. Coach Scott Belford summed up the season as a "A rebuilding year that turned into a pleasant surprise." Coach Belford will be working hard over the summer, coaching the under 17 national team in Boston.
It is an honor to be chosen to coach these athletes, and though the crew team will miss having their coach around this summer, he will be back in plenty of time for the fall season.
Because the CBA team has outgrown the Navesink, the fall season will find them training on the Manasquan Reservoir. Belford sees the Manasquan as a superior body of water to train on. "
We should get much more predictable practice schedules," he said.
In addition, unlike the brackish Navesink, the Manasquan is freshwater, which is much easier on the boats and equipment.
According to Belford, the next four years should prove to be some powerhouse years for the team. The team move to the Manasquan River and the loss of only four graduating seniors should put the team in a position to pose a threat to much larger and more established crews.
