Tuesday night, the Township of Nutley Board of Commissioners read a proclamation congratulating the Nutley High School Crew team for achieving the most successful season in the program’s history. A history that dates back to 1942. The 2025 Nutley Crew Team was guided by coaches Keven Smyth, Anthony Scarpelli, Jill Divilio, JianaMarie Padilla, and Meghan Callaghan. 

The team was composed of 51 student-athletes including 12 graduating seniors, who all worked together to achieve their accomplishments, including five medals—three of them gold—at the New Jersey State Championships. This marked the program’s first-ever State Champion titles in the Girls Junior Double, Girls Novice Four, and Boys Novice Four, with additional medals in the Girls Freshman Eight (silver) and Boys Lightweight Double (bronze).

Nutley also claimed four Grand Finalist finishes at the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association Championships (Cities), including gold in the Boys Lightweight Double and bronze in the Girls Novice Four.

At the Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the largest high school rowing event in the world, the Boys Lightweight Double earned bronze, the Girls Freshman Eight placed sixth in the Grand Final, and two additional boats finished in the national top 20. 

Additionally, three boats qualified for the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships, with the Boys Lightweight Double earning bronze and becoming the first Nutley crew to medal at all four major championship regattas: States, Cities, Stotesbury, and Nationals.

Nutley Crew also captured the “Battle of the Boathouse” Championship—a competition among Nutley, Belleville, and Kearny—for the fourth consecutive year, winning 8 out of 9 girls’ races. 

“I want to congratulate this team on behalf of the entire Board of Commissioners, because we are all equally proud of the accomplishments of our crew team—it’s another day to celebrate Nutley,” stated Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci, Director of Parks and Recreation. “The sport builds camaraderie and commitment in our youngsters. The work that they do is very grueling. It takes a lot of training and it’s a lot of competition, so you really need to be prepared. I am very proud of this team.”

Commissioner Thomas J. Evans, Director of Revenue and Finance, added that he used to be an oarsman on the Nutley Crew team when he was in high school. “It makes me more appreciative of what this achievement is all about. Having actually rowed in those regattas, I know how hard they are and the tough schools you’re up against. I think it’s a wonderful achievement. But what’s even more wonderful about it is not only did they do it once, they did it multiple times. I offer my congratulations to all of you, especially the girls. Go girls!”

Similarly, Commissioner Joseph P. Scarpelli, Director of Public Works shared that he used to be a crew parent, “getting up early and cooking breakfast for the team.” He added that the sport “really does build a sense of camaraderie that doesn’t happen in all sports. Congratulations to you, and congratulations to your coaches and parents for putting in a lot of time and effort on your behalf.”

“Way to go, everybody—or way to row!” expressed Commissioner Alphonse Petracco, Director of Public Safety. “My hats are off to the parents—great job. I always say that the people you’re sitting next to today will be your friends for the rest of your lives, so remember that. You made Nutley proud.”

Mayor John V. Kelly, III shared that he came to realize the difficulty of the sport after trying to use an “erg,” a machine that rowers use to train, and quickly being humbled. He commended the students on their athleticism and dedication to hard work. “I want to extend my congratulations to you, to your coaches, to your families—who sacrificed along with you to get you to where you are,” he added. “To the non-seniors on the team today, I want to see you all back here next year. I want to see more medals, more trophies, and I want to see us congratulating you again. The hard work begins now for you all, and I am sure you will be able to meet that challenge. To the graduating seniors, you’re going to take this experience—the camaraderie that you’ve developed, the friends that you’ve made—with you for the rest of your life and it’s going to set you up on a path where only the sky is the limit. We’re excited to see where you can go and proud to be a part of your lives and your stories. Thank you for shedding the spotlight on Nutley. It’s certainly a destination for crew.”