Milton Crew, Milton High’s rowing team, recently completed their third season on the water and demonstrated progress in every facet of their sport. The roster grew, the coaching staff grew, and the team went from a club sport to a full-fledged varsity sport that competed in a number of regattas including the South Shore Invitational in which they made a “strong statement” in the words of head coach Milos Nikolic. They finished a close 2nd to Hingham, one of the best crew teams in the state.
Seventeen athletes competed in novice and varsity boats. There are boys and girls squads at both the novice and varsity level. Coach Milos Nikolic had this to say about their recent season:
I have a chance to work with extraordinary kids who are willing to succeed in this sport . . . I am very happy with our results comparing with the last year. We definitely showed a huge improvement . . . Overall, I think that the mentality of our rowers has changed throughout the season. They understand that the hard work and commitment are the recipe for success. My goal is not to teach them how to race, but also to prepare them for college and future challenges.
Coach Nikolic who joined the program in the winter brings international experience and a wealth of knowledge. Mr. Nikolic was a member of the Serbian Rowing Federation and Serbian Olympic Committee. He rowed for Boston University where he was awarded a full scholarship. A 12 time National Champion who has competed at 5 World Championships, Nikolic also coaches at the Riverside Boat Club and is an instructor at B.U.’s sculling and rowing program.
The coach is looking forward to the fall season and a summer program is in place to assist in preparing for that. All interested students in Grades 7 – 9 are encouraged to participate. You can learn more here.
The team rows out of Milton Landing and also practiced extensively on the Charles River. The Friends of Milton Crew, the sponsoring group that provides operational and logistical support, hopes to have the team rowing from a new dock at Neponset Park in the fall.
The Friends wish to express their sincere thanks to The Milton Yacht Club, 88 Wharf Street Association, and the Milton School administration and High School Athletic Department for all their support and encouragement in bringing this exciting sport to the students of Milton.
Here is the 2012 squad.
Front Row: Olivia Sidoti, Kristen Ingraham, Liana Massey-Green, Kayla Drummond, Mary O’Rourke, Maeve Berry and Olivia Jensen. Back Row: Coach Milos Nikolic, Andrew Flynn, Lucas Campbell, Paul Corcoran, Daniel Nabi* and Michael Ricciuti.