Our Coaches:
Program Director,
BCRA Head Coach:
Clemens Reinke
Coach Clemens is the founder and president of the Bergen County Rowing Academy. During his time away from coaching he teaches Religion at Bergen Community College and Montclair State University. He is also the head rowing coach for the Women's and Men's Rowing Teams at SUNY Maritime College.
BCRA Assistant Coach,
Hackensack HS Head Coach:
Myrna Gotrell
Coach Myrna, who graduated herself from Hackensack High School, is the Head Coach to the Hackensack High School Crew Team founded in 2018. Coach Myrna has first been a volunteer coach, then the assistant coach for BCRA. An avid track & field athlete, Coach Myrna learned how to row with BCRA in 2015. She has since become a strong leader in supporting the sport of rowing at Hackensack High School and BCRA. She is the co-founder of "Hope on Water," a non-for-profit that seeks to support the development of new rowing teams in urban settings to promote the sport among communities not traditionally reached by rowing. For any questions about the Hackensack High School Team please email Coach Myrna.
BCRA Assistant Coach
Sicilia Prestifilippo
Certifications
Coach Sici joined BCRA during her years as a student at Teaneck High School. During the scholastic seasons Sici represented Teaneck and rowed for BCRA the rest of the year. After graduating from Teaneck she was recruited to row at Bryant University. Upon her return to Teaneck she started coaching the Middle School and Developing Rowers Team.
BCRA Summer Assistant Coach
Peter Nasto
Certifications
Coach Peter joined BCRA's Learn-to-Row program in September 2015 when he had just turned 11 years old. Peter continued rowing through middle school. In high school he received permission to represent Paramus High School in scholastic competitions. After graduating he was recruited to the rowing team at the Bucknell University. He joins the coaching staff at BCRA when he is home from college.
BCRA Learn-to-Row Coach
Marie Martin
Certifications
Coach Marie joined BCRA's Learn-to-Row program as a learner in June 2022. Since then, Marie has quickly improved and began racing as a Master Rower (adults competing are called Masters) that very same fall of 2022. She has since assisted with Learn-to-Row programs since 2023.
BCRA Learn-to-Row &
Open Row Coach
Lourdes Villamil
Certifications
Coach Lourdes joined BCRA's Learn-to-Row program as a lerner in July 2020. Lourdes has since helped with numerous Learn-to-Row programs and has often run the Open Row sessions.
Hackensack High School
Assistant Coach
Keira Gotrell
Certifications
Coach Keira joined BCRA's Learn-to-Row program in July 2015 when she was just turning 12 years old. Keira continued rowing through middle school. When she reached high school it was her vision to bring rowing to Hackensack High School. Supported by her mother, Myrna, she was successful in getting permission to represent HHS in scholastic competitions. Her tenacity in pursuing the dream to create a rowing team paid off a few years later. After graduating from Hackensack High School she was recruited to the rowing team at the University of San Diego. She now assists her mother in coaching the team she envisioned.
Dwight-Englewood School Coach
Chris Carroll
Certifications
Coach Carroll is the coach for the Dwight-Englewood Rowing Team since 2023. He is an avid Masters rower himself and enjoys passing his knowledge to the rowers at D-E. For any questions about the Dwight-Englewood School Team please email Coach Carroll.
Saddle River Day School Coach
Colin Riley
Certifications
Coach Riley is the coach for the Saddle River Day School Rowing Team since 2023. He is a teacher at SRDS. As a former college rower he enjoys sharing his rowing knowledge with his students. For any questions about the Saddle River Day School Team please email Coach Riley.
