April 28, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - The Temple University Men's Varsity 8 stunned 17th-ranked Georgetown on the Schuylkill River Saturday afternoon. The Owls, who lost by 10 seconds to the Hoyas just three weeks ago in Washington, led the entire head-to-head race to win by 2.5 seconds.

The Temple Varsity 8, comprised of Patrick Curran (stroke), Robert Protesto (7), Dante Cammarata (6), James Harding (5), Peter Gostling (4), Nick Vlahos (3), Thomas Haubrich (2), Don Powers (bow) and Rory Roberts (coxswain). took control of the race at the 900 meter mark. With the boats separated by a mere third of a length, the Owls made a strong push to move to an open-water lead. Temple, which rowed at a 36 stroke per minute pace, held off repeated attempts by Georgetown down the stretch.

"This is a big win for our Varsity 8 heading into the Dad Vails," said head coach Gavin White. "Our young men were up for the challenge today."

Georgetown won the other two races between the two programs, taking the Second Varsity 8 race by 6.1 seconds and winning the Freshman 8.

The Owls are off until the Dad Vail Regatta on May 11.