DeLAND, Fla. – The Stetson men's and women's rowing programs concluded their fall seasons Saturday morning at the Head of the Further South, hosted at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center. The Hatters turned in a strong showing on their home water, highlighted by victories in the Men's Varsity Eight and Men's Freshman/Novice Four, along with a third-place finish from the Women's First Varsity Eight.

Competing against crews from Jacksonville, Embry-Riddle and Florida Tech, Stetson earned two first-place finishes across the three races in which the Hatters were entered, closing the fall campaign with momentum heading into the spring season.

The men's First Varsity Eight opened the morning with an impressive performance in the 5,000-meter race, capturing first place among nine competing crews with a time of 16:55.7. The Hatters finished 13.4 seconds ahead of Embry-Riddle's First Varsity Eight, which took second in 17:09.1, while Embry-Riddle's Second Varsity Eight placed third in 17:46.5.

Stetson's winning crew featured Grayson Tame in the bow, followed by Ethan Manning, Samuel Tise, Nathaniel Presti-Hodgson, Endrik Brettmann, Ian Harres, Brady Heafitz and Gyula Nyéki in the stroke seat. Roger Carasso served as coxswain.

The victory continued a successful fall for the men's program, which opened the season by capturing the Men's Collegiate Four title at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. Saturday's performance demonstrated the Hatters' ability to carry that success into eight-person racing as they prepare for the spring championship season.

Stetson's Second Varsity Eight also competed in the opening race, finishing seventh in an adjusted time of 18:22.7. The crew recorded a raw time of 17:52.7 before receiving a 30-second penalty.

The men's program added its second victory of the morning in the Freshman/Novice Four, where the Hatters completed the 5,000-meter course in 21:40.2 to finish first among three competing crews. Stetson held off Florida Tech, which finished second in 21:50.8, by 10.6 seconds, while Jacksonville placed third in 23:08.0.

The winning four featured Lance Duran in the bow, Cooper Wilding in the two seat, Maverick Ross in the three seat and Max Olivieri at stroke, with Nicholas Neves serving as coxswain. The result provided an encouraging finish to the fall for the Hatters' developing group of younger rowers.

On the women's side, Stetson's First Varsity Eight earned a third-place finish among nine crews, completing the 5,000-meter course in 19:58.8. Jacksonville claimed the top two positions, with its First Varsity Eight finishing in an adjusted time of 19:31.5 and its Second Varsity Eight following in 19:42.7.

The Hatters finished just 16.1 seconds behind Jacksonville's Second Varsity Eight while placing ahead of six other entries, including crews from Jacksonville, Embry-Riddle and Florida Tech.

Stetson's First Varsity Eight featured Kara Hubbard in the bow, Abby Goulding, Sal Stegmaier, Lily Caramadre, Sienna Meany, Ella Glover, Noelle Zinn and Maria Lopez at stroke, with Sofia Cornetto serving as coxswain.

The women's Second Varsity Eight rounded out Stetson's performances with a seventh-place finish in 22:53.4. The crew featured Giada Bednarz in the bow, Lexi Stivali, Honoria Ivankovich, Amira Marquez, Jocelyn Ridley, Ashley Redman, Ali Longo and Samantha Plumb at stroke, with Alexa Bojbasa serving as coxswain.

Saturday's regatta marked the conclusion of the fall competition schedule for both programs, which will now turn their attention to preparations for the spring season. Stetson is scheduled to return to competition on February 20 when the Hatters host Bates College at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center.

Stetson Results

Adjusted time includes a 30-second penalty.

Race Results

Men's Eights – 5,000 Meters

Women's Eights – 5,000 Meters

Men's Freshman/Novice Fours – 5,000 Meters