PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Catholic League Championship is the first of Philadelphia’s three major high school regattas.
After the Manny Flicks are complete, Philadelphia Catholic high schools take to the Schuylkill River to compete to win the PCL Championship. While this regatta may be small, the competition between the crews is fierce.
Some of the most notorious rivalries exist between three of the city’s all-boys schools: LaSalle College High School, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and Roman Catholic High School.
Roman celebrating in the Schuylkill River after their PCL Championship victory - Jade Perry
According to LaSalle’s head coach, Tony Mieczkowski, St. Joe’s Prep is the team that LaSalle always has their eye on.
“The biggest rival for LaSalle is St. Joseph’s Prep. Hands down. It’s a rivalry that extends far beyond me all the way into the early 1900s,” Mieczkowski said.
Mieczkowski notes that when the two crews see each other on the water, it can become very intense. However, he also says that the rivalry is a good thing.
“I believe that the rivalry can be slightly brotherly as well. I believe it is a healthy rivalry. I think the guys know that at the end of the day they’re still the same type of athletes,” said Mieczkowski.
Roman Christening New Shell - Jade Perry
LaSalle Eight - Jade Perry
LaSalle and the other crews broke away from their prayer services feeling good and ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead. The rain filled clouds made way for sun and warmth just in time for the races to kick off at 1PM.
LaSalle started off the day strong by taking first place in the Junior Varsity and Novice four races. Father Judge High School took first in the Varsity 4+ and Lightweight 4+ races. St. Joseph’s took first in the Lightweight eight race. Roman Catholic High School took first place in the Varsity Four, Varsity Doubles, Varsity Lightweight Doubles and Varsity Single races.
While all teams were performing well on the water, it all came down to the final race of the day: the Varsity eight. LaSalle finished in first place, St. Joe’s in second and Roman Catholic in third.
Roman Catholic High School was declared the winner of the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2012.
John Meehan, a junior at Roman Catholic and member of the JV quad, felt great about the win.
“It went very well. Each race we progressed and started to swing a lot better,” Meehan said. “I think we’re going to do well at City’s. Not just the quad but all of the boats as well.”
Roman Catholic’s head coach, Zach Coons, was proud of his crew’s performance.
“It was very exciting. It was great to see them go out there and win the events that they needed to win and to give a great race in the varsity eight was Important,” Coons said. “There’s a great spirit in the boat house right now. The morale from winning this race is definitely a huge plus going to the next week of training and the next competition.”
Roman Catholic celebrated their win on Saturday night. On Monday, they and the other crews will begin their week long preparation for the City Championship, which will take place on May 1st.