Orange Draw D.S.R.V. Laga 'B' in First Round of Henley's Temple Challenge Cup

The Syracuse University men's rowing team will open competition at the 2026 Henley Royal Regatta against Dutch crew D.S.R.V. Laga 'B' in the first round of the Temple Challenge Cup on Wednesday, July 1. Race time is to be announced.

Syracuse will send its second varsity eight, a boat that enters Henley having gone undefeated through the regular season. The Orange earned a bronze medal at the EARC Eastern Sprints before placing fourth at the IRA National Championship last month.

The Orange eight is coxed by senior Sam Fernandez and stroked by fellow senior Alex Dawallu. Senior Mack Carr (5-seat), senior Luke Dunleavy (4-seat) and senior Andrew Furlow (3-seat) join them in the boat, giving Syracuse five seniors in the lineup. Junior Gunnar Platt occupies the 2-seat, while sophomores Jack Walker (6-seat) and Jack Caldwell (bow) and freshman Joe Lynch (7-seat) round out the crew.

Additionally Syracuse's spare pair, John Testerman (bow) and Cole Nordby (stroke), will race in the pairs race on Monday, June 29. Racing begins at 1 p.m. and is a head-to-head knockout format. The winning crew from each race will paddle back to the starting line and race again until one boat remains.

The appearance marks Syracuse's first trip to the River Thames for Henley Royal Regatta since 2023, when the Orange reached the Temple Challenge Cup final for the first time in program history.