Pennsauken, NJ – The Stetson University men's rowing team competed at the 2025 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta on May 9-10 along the Cooper River, securing two medals and advancing to every Grand Final.
Christopher Furton and his partner Bear won the Men's Varsity 2- event, earning The Bob Negaard Cup. Bear had recovered from a March car crash that collapsed his lung, undergoing a high-risk surgical procedure to return to competition. Furton had also faced challenges, battling hip injuries and mononucleosis during the season. The pair recorded a time of 07:27.714 in the Time Trial, winning by 3.462 seconds, followed by a Semi-final time of 07:39.415, and took the Grand Final.
The Men's 2V4+ crew, consisting of Ryder Bax, Jack Roach, Walker Hollmann, Micheal Leitielt, and coxswain Alex Moore, earned bronze in The Ken Shaw 2V4+ Event. They placed third in the Time Trial (07:07.453), won the Semi-final (07:03.888), and finished the Grand Final with a time of 06:55.642.
Sacha Roiena led the Men's Varsity 8+ to a fifth-place finish in the Grand Final (05:58.571). The team secured third in the Semi-final (05:51.216), earning a spot in the Grand Final, marking only the second time Stetson has achieved this at Dad Vail.
Head Coach Jamie Francis praised the team's performance, noting the varsity eight's Grand Final appearance, the second varsity four's bronze, and the varsity pair's victory over strong competitors like Oklahoma City and Drexel.
Stetson's team is now preparing for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship on May 20, 2025, at the same Camden course, where the the team will compete in the four event.
Varsity Eight
- William Hubbard 2. Ingmar V. 3. Brady H. 4. Sam T 5. Ian H. 6. Endrik B. 7. Lukasz B. 8. Sacha R. Cox Elliott S.
Second Varsity 4 with Cox
- Micheal L. 2. Jack R. 3. Walker H. 5. Ryder B.
Men's Pair
- Bear F. 2. Chris F.
