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235 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724  /  732.542.4777

Luke Arnone ’19 Sails His Way to Success

Eighth-grade student Luke Arnone (Bay Head) is making his mark on the sailing world both locally and internationally.
Eighth-grade student Luke Arnone (Bay Head) is making his mark on the sailing world both locally and internationally. Luke, who started at Ranney School in Pre-K, began sailing at just 8 years old after moving near the bay and joining Mantoloking Yacht Club. Shortly after, he found a passion for the sport of sailing and has been pursuing it ever since. His most memorable win to date took place at the Optimist World Championship in October, when his team won the Nation’s Cup after finishing in first place. A team from the U.S. has not won the Nation’s Cup in 48 years.

Recently, Luke finished in 2nd place at the U.S. Optimist Team Trials Championship in Stamford, CT, which included all qualified sailors in the U.S. He also was one of five sailors in the U.S. to qualify for the IODA Optimist World Championships in San Isidro, Argentina, this past October, which he noted was his favorite travel spot so far. Sailing with the top 215 competitors in the world from 50 countries, Luke finished in 35th place overall. In July, Luke placed 3rd in the U.S. National Championships in Marina del Ray California, and placed 5th overall in the IODA Optimist North American Championship in Nayarit, Mexico.

Luke is currently a member of Team CERT based out of Toms River, coached by Clay Johnson, an accomplished sailor who previously campaigned for the Olympics. “One thing people may not realize about sailing is that it is more of a sport than some may think it is,” said Luke. “You have to be active and use your body a lot.” To prepare for competitions, Luke and his team members run, do different exercises and go to the gym. During the school year, the team practices on the weekends (both Saturdays and Sundays) and works out during the week. In the summer, the team sails every weekday and is usually out on the water all day. When traveling, the team typically arrives a few days early to adjust to the climate and time differences.

“Since I miss school sometimes due to competitions, I have to get work in advance and make up tests and quizzes when I get back,” said Luke. “I have realized that time management is really important and I have to make time for my homework when I travel, whether it is in my hotel room or in the car or plane. Ranney is very supportive, especially Mrs. Marshall and Mrs. Kelly, who work with me and check with my teachers to make sure I am caught up on my work.”

Said Assistant Head of School for Academics Patricia L. Marshall: “We have the ability at Ranney School to support our students in their pursuits outside of the classroom, knowing we will learn from them as we watch them. Luke is an excellent example of this. He is a sailor and to succeed in that sport, we know an athlete needs courage, perseverance, strategy, and also the nautical skills that combine math principles and those of physics for success.”

Mrs. Marshall added, “By supporting a student in these endeavors, whether they are pursuing a singing or acting career, fencing, riding or rowing, we not only watch and celebrate them thrive in an environment unknown to many of us, but our students have the privilege to watch a friend pursue something special which models for them the adage that anything is possible for each of them if they are dedicated to the hard work of chasing their dreams. We are all so proud of Luke and we cheer for him wherever he goes.”

Luke has been a member of the U.S. Optimist National Team for two years and has competed in seven different countries. “It’s fun to meet students from different countries,” Luke explained. “Although some of them don’t speak English or it may be their second language, I have been able to make a lot of friends from all over the world such as Australia, Singapore and Argentina.”

Luke is also a member of Ranney’s Middle School Boys’ Tennis team, the Middle School Broadcasting Club and has participated in soccer. His goals include starting a sailing team at Ranney in the future, continuing to sail throughout high school and college, becoming a national champion and finishing in the top 10 at the World Championship. “The most important thing I have learned from sailing is that if you don’t meet your goals, you shouldn’t give up,” said Luke. “Instead, work hard to meet them next time and you will reach them.”

“Ranney has been extremely supportive of Luke and our family,” said Luke’s mother, Dawn Arnone. “The teachers and administrators have provided strong encouragement for Luke in both his academics and his sailing endeavors.”
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777

Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.