By Rosemary Daniels|Correspondent

Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, a well-known powerhouse in many sports, revealed a hidden gem this past spring season — their highly dedicated crew team. The overall team has gained national recognition over the last three years while floating under the radar at their own school, but with a string of state, regional and national titles in their wake, that anonymity is sure to change.

Since the team’s inception in 2003, they have grown to over 60 rowers.

Coach Scott Belford and assistant coach Christine Stopyra work to first instill a love of the sport in the boys in their freshman year. Then, in sophomore year, Belford analyzes the strengths of his rowers, and develops line-ups that will maximize the team’s speed.

Putting together the right combination in each boat is key, according to Belford, 37, of Red Bank. “You need to find the right chemistry, where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.” A good example is the team’s Lightweight 4, which has had a banner year. Belford continued, “From the very first practice, we knew we had something special here.”

The five Lightweight 4 team members are seniors Max Kellermueller , Matawan, and Ted Fortier, Atlantic Highlands; juniors Michael Guadagno and Sam Henning, both from Monmouth Beach, and Daniel Weihs, of Tinton Falls.

Although the teams compete year-round, the spring 2013 season has been one to remember. Since early May, they have racked up an impressive 110-0 record, taking top honors at every event in which they competed.

They took gold at the Philadelphia City Championships for the first time, as did their Freshman 8 and Junior 4.

The winning streak continued the following weekend, at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships. At this regatta, four CBA teams took gold: Lightweight 4, Novice 8, Junior 4, and Senior 4.

Nationals awaited. Kellermueller had guided an earlier Lightweight 4 to victory in 2011, and hoped to do so again before he graduated. On Memorial Day weekend on the Cooper River, three CBA teams made it to finals (including the Junior and Senior 4). The Lightweight 4 reigned victorious again, and CBA took home both a gold and a bronze (Junior 4), notching another first with two medals.

What will the team remember about the season? Ted Fortier said, “My best memory will be crossing the finish line at [the weather-shortened Canadian competition in] Stotesbury and knowing we won. After four years of hard work, it all came to fruition.”

Kellermueller will remember the camaraderie as he heads to Northeastern University, Boston, in the fall. “Crew is unlike any other sport. You spend so much time together. “ Per coach Belford, “The biggest change I see in the boys as they progress is that they take responsibility for everything they do. If you’re willing to outwork everyone, you’re going to succeed. It’s that simple. You can see them start to embrace that principal.”

The rowers echo this sentiment. Guadagno says, “The amount of commitment required really weeds out the guys who aren’t serious. We end up with the guys who are willing to devote all their time and energy.” Daniels Weihs adds, “It actually teaches us to handle large workloads better.”

The future is bright for this program. Three juniors will return to the Lightweight 4. The freshman 4, the Junior 4, and the Junior double all achieved the highest rating in the state.

It’s unlikely they will be under the radar anymore.