BOSTON, Mass. – Stetson Rowing opened the 2026-27 season on one of the sport's biggest stages this weekend, highlighted by a first-place performance from the men's Collegiate Four at the 61st Head of the Charles Regatta on the Charles River.
After finishing runner-up in each of the past two editions, the Stetson men returned to the top of the podium Sunday, navigating the challenging three-mile course in 16:12.943 to finish first in a 35-boat field. The Hatters edged second-place Florida Tech by 3.322 seconds, while UC Santa Barbara took third in 16:17.612.
The victory continued a remarkable four-year stretch for Stetson in the event. The Hatters have now finished on the podium in four consecutive Head of the Charles appearances, winning the Men's Collegiate Four in 2023 and 2026 while taking second in both 2024 and 2025.
Stetson entered Sunday's race with bow No. 2 and delivered the fastest time in a deep field that also included Jacksonville, Marist, Texas, Georgia Tech, UCLA, Clemson, North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Bucknell and several other programs. Jacksonville, which edged the Hatters for the title a year ago, finished sixth on Sunday in 16:30.372, more than 17 seconds behind Stetson.
The winning boat featured
Samuel Tise in the bow,
Ian Harres in the two seat,
Endrik Brettmann in the three seat and Gyula Nyéki in the stroke seat, with
Alexander Moore serving as coxswain. Tarik Bayman served as the Hatters' spare.
"Our men did what we came to do: bring gold back to DeLand," said coach Anthony Chacon. "Super proud of the work they've done this fall and over the summer. Now we set our focus on getting back in the eight and our next race, the Head of the Further South, which we host here in DeLand. Go Hats!"
The victory provided an emphatic start to the new season for a men's program coming off an appearance at the 2026 IRA National Championship and a silver medal in the Second Varsity Four at last spring's Dad Vail Regatta.
The Stetson women began the weekend Saturday afternoon in the Women's Club Four, taking on a field of 48 crews that featured a combination of NCAA programs and rowing clubs from across the country.
The Hatters crossed the finish in 20:39.423, placing 28th overall. Boston University captured the event in 19:08.842, followed closely by Columbia at 19:10.306 and SMU at 19:18.001.
Stetson's performance placed the Hatters ahead of 20 crews in the large field, including Dartmouth, Lehigh, a second Fairfield entry, Marist and Iona. The result also gave Stetson an early look at several programs it will see again during its first season competing in the METRO Conference.
Among the other METRO programs in the field, Fairfield's top entry finished ninth in 19:36.355, Sacred Heart placed 24th in 20:19.356, Marist finished 37th in 21:22.264 and Iona was 39th in 21:53.580.
The Stetson boat featured
Lily Citta in the bow,
Lily Caramadre in the two seat,
Sienna Meany in the three seat and
Ella Glover at stroke, with
Sofia Cornetto serving as coxswain.
Saturday marked the first competition of the season for a Stetson women's program beginning a new chapter in the METRO Conference. Glover, a two-time All-MAAC selection, provided an experienced presence in the stroke seat as the Hatters took on one of the deepest fields they will see during the fall campaign.
With the Head of the Charles complete, Stetson will return home for its final competition of the fall. The Hatters will host the Head of the Further South on Nov. 14 in DeLand.
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.
