Former Drexel University rower Steve Kasprzyk is part of the United States men's eight boat that will take the water at Elton Dorney for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The men's eight will race in the preliminary heat that has been estimated to begin at 5:10 a.m. EST on Saturday, July 28 followed by the repechage on July 30.
Team USA will feature coxswain Zach Vlahos (Piedmont, Calif.), stroke Grant James (DeKalb, Ill.), David Banks (Potomac, Md.), Drexel standout Kasprzyk (Cinnaminson, N.J.), Jake Cornelius (Brooktondale, N.Y.), Brett Newlin (Riverton, Wyo.), Ross James (DeKalb, Ill.), Will Miller (Duxbury, Mass.) and Giuseppe Lanzone (Annandale, Va.).
While at Drexel University, Kasprzyk walked on to the crew team in 2000 with no prior rowing experience. With his athleticism and determination, Kasprzyk made an immediate impact on the program and helped the men's freshman eight qualify at the 2001 IRA National Championships. The following season, he rowed in the men's varsity eight boat that placed fifth in the finals at the 2002 Dad Vail Regatta.
Kasprzyk went on to compete at a national level. In 2007, he won the pair at the Senior National Team Trials. Two years later, he joined the men's eight boat and captured the USRowing Elite National title. In 2011, he placed first in the pair event at the USRowing Elite Nationals.
He has also raced internationally. In 2007, he earned seventh place for the pair at the World Rowing Championships. He went on to take seventh place at the 2009 World Rowing Cup in Lucerne and finished ninth at the 2009 World Rowing Championships. In 2010, Kasprzyk earned fifth place in the eight at the 2010 E.ON Hanse Canal Cup. Most recently, he helped the men's eight capture a medal at 2011 Pan American Games held in Guzman City, Mexico.
Following the preliminary heats at the 2012 Olympics, the repechage will begin at 4:50 a.m. EST on July 30. The medal events will take place on August 1 with the final race set for 5:30 a.m. EST. Viewers will be able to watch the rowing events via NBC.com's live streaming. Click here to learn how to access live videos.
For more updates and coverage on the United States men's eight boat competing in the Olympics, visit www.usrowing.com.