27165362
Giovanni DiSalvatore, like most high school athletes, has big dreams. But the 18-year-old has no plans of becoming the Phillies third baseman; his obsession involves a paddle, boat and water.
The Roman Catholic senior, a four-year member of the school’s crew team, got his first taste of rowing his freshman year. Following years of playing baseball, football, soccer and hockey in local youth leagues, which included a CYO football championship in seventh grade and a soccer title in eighth, he accepted a cousin’s dare to try out for crew. Knowing it "had something to do with boats," he expected little, but easily made the roster.
The resident of the 2600 block of South Rosewood Street immediately enjoyed the challenges of the sport, including two-a-day practices over Christmas and Easter breaks.
"Crew is so demanding that I had to give up the other sports," the 6-foot-1, 210-pound athlete said.
He has held various positions in the boat, including the front, or bow, a spot usually reserved for the most powerful rower.
"One of the benefits of rowing is that I can eat whatever I want," the 2005 St. Monica’s graduate said, adding he voraciously takes advantage of Domino’s 5-5-5 Deal and can polish off a pound of pasta after a rigorous practice.
The nutrients have obviously worked, as DiSalvatore recently helped Roman Catholic complete one of its finest seasons, which included last weekend’s third-place finish in the national championships at Mercer Lake, N.J. The squad advanced as result of its strong performances earlier in the season.
Two weeks ago, his boat finished third in the boys’ senior quad at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the world’s largest high school regatta that features 180 schools from across the nation. At last month’s Catholic League championships, DiSalvatore’s boat finished second in the boys’ varsity four. Add in the Flick Cup, given to the team with the most wins in a series of races organized by the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association, and it has been an extremely memorable season.
"This has definitely been our most successful season," DiSalvatore said. "We had such camaraderie and no problematic people. Any suggestions were more constructive than hurtful. We had great unity."
The affable redhead also earned individual honors in "erg" competitions held earlier this year at Villanova and Drexel universities. "Erg" is short for ergometer, a rowing machine that approximates actual rowing motion. Competitors had to simulate rowing 2,000 meters, a task DiSalvatore accomplished in slightly over six minutes. He also earned Second Team All-Catholic honors.
Academically, he ranks in the top 10 percent of his class with an overall average of 90 and is a member of the National Honor Society. He also earned the gold in his sophomore year on the National Latin Exam. DiSalvatore has formed a delicate and successful balance between schoolwork and crew.
"Managing class and crew has challenged me," he said. "Sometimes I have to finish my homework early in the morning."
This year, he took four advanced placement classes, with psychology standing out as his favorite.
"Crew has taught me that I need to learn to manage my time better. I have finally embraced that fact. It will come in useful in college," he said.
As a result of his winning efforts, DiSalvatore has several local schools under consideration including Drexel and La Salle, but Penn State University is leading the pack.
"I am 90 percent sure that Penn State will be my choice," he said.
In college, DiSalvatore plans to study engineering and continue rowing.
"Rowing will never fade away from my interests," he said.
When assignments, practices, and competitions are not occupying his time, he enjoys video games and photography, becoming especially adept at Photoshop.
Of course, there is one last, great mark to achieve this season — a June 5 graduation with his class of 233 at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul.
"I expect to receive my AP scores in July and this summer I will catch up on some reading," he said of post-graduation plans.
His oars, however, will not collect dust.
"Rowing is a huge commitment. I have to continue to improve. I am used to being among the best," DiSalvatore said.
