DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Stetson University rowing teams wrapped up their fall season Saturday with a strong showing at the Fall Florida Invitational, hosted along the Halifax River in Daytona Beach.
The Hatters competed across multiple events against regional rivals, highlighted by the men's squad earning a second-place finish in the Men's Freshman/Novice 4+ with a time of 4:40.112, trailing only Florida Tech (4:26.680).
"The 1v8 had a decent second-place result in the head race and pulled out all the stops in the sprints," said men's assistant coach Anthony Chacón. "Alex had a great course and Lukasz had a great cadence in the sprint. An open-water finish is always fun to watch and shows we have a lot of potential ahead in spring racing. The freshmen had their first collegiate racing experience and handled themselves well in competition. We could not have asked for better conditions today on the Halifax—it was like Lake Beresford was there with us."
On the women's side, Stetson's novice rowers and coxswains gained valuable experience in their first collegiate regatta, competing against strong fields from Florida Tech, Jacksonville, and Embry-Riddle.
"Today was a solid performance for our team, especially our novice rowers and coxswains competing in their first-ever regatta," said women's assistant coach Andrew Rouse. "The results show the depth and potential within this group and give us the fuel and focus we need heading into winter training and toward the spring racing season."
The regatta marked the conclusion of the Hatters' fall campaign, which featured a standout silver-medal finish at the Head of the Charles in October.
The men's team will open its spring schedule on Saturday, Feb. 21, hosting the Bates Scrimmage at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center in DeLand. The women's team begins its spring season on Saturday, March 7, welcoming Canisius and Michigan State for the Hatter Invitational, also at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
