July 10, 2007

Washington, D.C. - After advancing to the quarterfinals of the Temple Challenge Cup in the Henley Regatta, the Georgetown University Lightweight Crew was defeated by the eventual cup-winner, the University of California - Berkeley. Despite being eliminated, Georgetown was one of five American schools to make the quarterfinals and their finish was the best-ever by a lightweight Hoya crew at the Henley Regatta.

Cal finished the quarterfinal heat in 7:17, which at the moment was the fastest time of the tournament, and the Hoyas finished behind the Golden Bears by 4 ½ lengths. After the mild upset of Dartmouth in the first round and the blistering second round time against Nihon University of Japan, the crew could feel proud about their performance on the Thames.

The race took place against fast currents, 20-25 mph winds, and overcast skies. Another factor in the race was that each student-athlete from Cal was 45 to 50 lbs heavier than their Hoya counterpart. As per the rules and stipulations of the Temple Cup, lightweights and freshmen heavyweights can enter. These guidelines tend to result in size mismatches like the one Georgetown faced during their race.

Georgetown's lightweights last competed at Henley in 2004 when they advanced to the final 16 before being knocked out by the eventual winner, Hollandia Roeiclub of Holland.

To read more about the Hoyas' trip to England, click here.

To view the full results from the Henley Regatta, click here.