In the anticipated race, Oxford Brookes got off to a fast start, taking the lead over the Crimson in the first 600 meters. But Harvard held its own and walked through Oxford Brookes in the final 500 meters of the race, winning the Temple Challenge cup by a length with a time of 6:36.

“It was definitely the most difficult race because we had to come from behind,” Webb said. “It was as dramatic as a win can be. We had to look losing in the face.”

“We had to have our best race to win that one,” said freshman stroke Kip McDaniel.

The Temple Cup is the Crimson’s 18th crown at the Henley Royal Regatta. Harvard’s past titles include three victories from freshman crews in the Thames Cup. Most recently, the Harvard heavyweight crew captured the Ladies’ Challenge Plate in 1998.

Though Harvard has had considerable success in the past at Henley, this is the Crimson’s first Temple Cup. Prior to this year, Yale was the only American university to have won the Temple Cup. The Elis captured the cup in both 1996 and 2000.

“Racing [at Henley] was phenomenal, more than I can say,” Webb said. “Rowing back in England, beating some of the best English universities, especially as a freshman, was incredible. And it was the first time Harvard won this cup, so we were able to add to the Harvard legacy.”

“It’s the best possible way [to end the season],” McDaniel said. “It’s exactly how we wanted to do it. We reached our full potential, which is great.”

The accomplishments of all the freshman crews bode well for the future, as a number of freshmen will challenge upperclassmen for places in varsity boats.