Former Orange Rowers Compete In Annual Cambridge-Oxford Boat Race

London, England- Cambridge and Oxford took part in the 153rd Boat Race, an annual event between the two legendary crews that has become one of the most renowned events in the rowing world, on Saturday, April 7 on the Thames in London. Cambridge came out on top by one and a quarter lengths, giving the Light Blues their first win against the Dark Blues since 2004. The race was highlighted with Orange, as Syracuse rowing alums Dan O’Shaugnessy and Andrew Wright competed for the rival sides. O’Shaugnessy was in the second seat for Cambridge and Wright was in third seat for Oxford.

“It is incredible that two Syracuse guys are getting the chance to race against each other in The Boat Race,” O’Shaugnessy said. “Oxford has had a few Syracuse guys in the past and I am the first Syracuse guy to come to Cambridge, hopefully the start of a tradition!”

The Boat Race was first contested on March 12, 1829 as a challenge between friends at the two schools and has been held every year since. Keeping with that tradition, the loser from one year must challenge the winner to a rematch the following year. Cambridge leads the series 79-73 and has featured just one dead heat in its history.

“You could compare the rivalry to Syracuse and Georgetown in men’s basketball,” O’Shaugnessy said. “Both teams love to play compete against each other and take a lot of pride in winning. The only difference is that we have one race, on one day, decided on a tidal river that is notorious for horrible conditions.”

O’Shaugnessy, a native of Elizabethtown, Ontario, was a three-year letter winner at Syracuse from 2004-06 and a captain in 2006. Wright, a native of Burlington, Ontario, was a four-year letter winner from 2001-04.

Syracuse University Athletics

Former Orange Rowers Compete In Annual Cambridge-Oxford Boat Race

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