91直播
The La 91直播 University men鈥檚 rowing team has become one of the top collegiate programs on the Schuylkill River in recent years.
National rankings, multiple appearances at IRA National Championships, and numerous cup victories over the last two seasons have made La 91直播 a prominent name in the world of men鈥檚 collegiate rowing.
None of those accomplishments compare, however, to what took place in early July, when 15 student-athletes made La 91直播 rowing history and traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to become the first team to participate in the world鈥檚 most prestigious rowing event鈥攖he Henley Royal Regatta.
Dating back to 1839, crews from around the world have annually trekked to Henley-on-Thames, United Kingdom, to compete against top talent. Olympians, world champions, and the top rowers in history have participated in the event. And thanks to alumni and donor support, over $75,000 was raised to fully fund the trip.
Prior to boarding the plane, all teams must submit to participate and, based on the top qualifications of La 91直播鈥檚 team, two boats were entered into the main draw to avoid a grueling qualification round.
La 91直播鈥檚 4+ (four rowers plus a coxswain) boat, consisting of Trevor Fawcett, 鈥23, Predrag Cvetkovic, 鈥27, Marlon Bayer, 鈥25, Nick O鈥橬eill, 鈥25, and Robin Hamann, 鈥26, was the first to take the water in the morning of July 2.
With two All-Americans鈥擝ayer & O鈥橬eill鈥攁nd a Reading Town Regatta victory already in their tow from the week prior, the Explorers entered the Prince Albert Challenge Cup as a darkhorse pick.
Unfortunately, the draw, which is selected at random prior to the week of racing, was unkind to La 91直播. The Explorers squared off against former Prince Albert Challenge Cup champion Edinburgh University out of Scotland and, despite putting together the second-fastest time of the eight boats who raced in the event on the day, the crew was eliminated from the tournament.
In the Temple Challenge Cup, the 8+ boat comprised of coxswain Joey Evans, 鈥27, Johann Kroll, 鈥25, Viktor Susic, 鈥25, Joel Bevenour, 鈥25, Derek Cushman, 鈥27, Tristano Pitetti, 鈥26, Thomas Saady, 鈥25, Luke Iannelli, 鈥25, and C.J. Higginbotham, 鈥27 was matched up with the University of Birmingham.
La 91直播 took control of the race early and never looked back and in the process set school history by becoming the first boat to ever win a race at Henley.
Though the Explorers fell to then-undefeated Harvard in the second round, all nine members of the 8+ boat, and four of the five from the 4+, are expected back at La 91直播 for the 2024-25 season in what figures to be another record setting year.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be more proud of this team and all of its accomplishments throughout the season,鈥 Director of Rowing and Head Men鈥檚 Rowing Coach Ivo Krakic said. 鈥淭he trip to Henley was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for these student-athletes, and I am hopeful that we made all of the alumni proud with our performance. Go Explorers!鈥