DeLAND, Fla. – The Stetson men's and women's rowing programs will return to the water Saturday morning as the Hatters host the Head of the Further South at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center. The regatta will feature crews from Jacksonville, Embry-Riddle and Florida Tech, with racing scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. The event marks the final competition of the fall season for both Stetson programs.

The home regatta comes nearly a month after both programs opened their 2026-27 campaigns at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Massachusetts, where the Stetson men captured gold in the Men's Collegiate Four and the women competed in a competitive Women's Club Four field.

The men's team enters Saturday's competition looking to build on its victory in Boston, where the Hatters finished first among 35 crews with a time of 16:12.943. The performance marked Stetson's second Head of the Charles title in four years and extended the program's streak of podium finishes in the event to four consecutive appearances, including runner-up finishes in 2024 and 2025.

The winning crew featured Samuel Tise, Ian Harres, Endrik Brettmann and Gyula Nyéki, with Alexander Moore serving as coxswain. Saturday's regatta will provide the Hatters an opportunity to transition back into eight-person racing, with Stetson scheduled to field three crews in the Men's Eights against entries from Jacksonville, Embry-Riddle and Florida Tech.

On the women's side, Stetson will field two varsity eight crews after opening the season with a 28th-place finish among 48 entries in the Women's Club Four at the Head of the Charles. The Hatters completed the challenging three-mile course in 20:39.423, gaining valuable early-season experience against a field that included several fellow METRO Conference programs.

The women's First Varsity Eight will feature Maria Lopez in the stroke seat, followed by Noelle Zinn, Ella Glover, Sienna Meany, Lily Caramadre, Sal Stegmaier, Abby Goulding and Kara Hubbard in the bow. Sofia Cornetto will serve as coxswain.

Stetson's Second Varsity Eight will be led by Samantha Plumb in the stroke seat, with Ali Longo, Ashley Redman, Jocelyn Ridley, Amira Marquez, Honoria Ivankovich, Lexi Stivali and Giada Bednarz rounding out the crew. Alexa Bojbasa will serve as coxswain.

The women's program will face a nine-boat field in Saturday's Women's Eights, including multiple entries from Jacksonville and additional crews representing Embry-Riddle and Florida Tech. The competition will provide the Hatters an opportunity to evaluate their depth across multiple boats while continuing to build toward their first METRO Conference championship season in the spring.

Saturday's racing will begin at 9 a.m. with the Men's Eights, featuring 11 entries, including three Stetson crews. The Women's Eights will follow at 9:15 a.m., with the Hatters entering their First and Second Varsity Eights. Competition will continue with the Men's Fours at 9:25 a.m. before concluding with the Women's Fours at 9:30 a.m.

Following the Head of the Further South, both programs will turn their attention to the spring schedule, which begins February 20 when Stetson hosts Bates College at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center. Full results from Saturday's regatta will be available on GoHatters.com following the conclusion of competition.

Saturday's Race Schedule

Stetson Men's Lineups

First Varsity Eight (1V8+)

Second Varsity Eight (2V8+)

Third Varsity Eight (3V8+)

Stetson Women's Lineups

First Varsity Eight (1V8+)

Second Varsity Eight (2V8+)

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.