EDISON, N.J. -- The Stetson University women's rowing team has been selected fifth in the 2026 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced Friday afternoon by the league office.
The Hatters earned 49 points in the poll, finishing 10 points behind fourth-place Sacred Heart (59) and 13 points ahead of sixth-place Canisius (36). The preseason ranking reflects continued respect for a Stetson program that has remained competitive within a tightly contested MAAC field.
Jacksonville was voted the preseason favorite with 76 points and five first-place votes after finishing as runner-up at the 2025 MAAC Championship. Defending champion Fairfield and Marist tied for second with 65 points apiece, while Sacred Heart collected the remaining first-place vote to slot fourth.
The 2026 MAAC Women's Rowing Championship is scheduled for May 17 at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey. The championship returns to Cooper River for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.
Stetson will open its spring racing slate on Saturday, March 7, hosting the Hatter Invitational at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center in DeLand. The Hatters will welcome Canisius and Michigan State for the home regatta as they begin preparations for the conference championship season.
| 2026 Women's Rowing Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| 1 |
Jacksonville |
76 (5) |
| T2 |
Marist |
65 (2) |
| T2 |
Fairfield |
65 (1) |
| 4 |
Sacred Heart |
59 (1) |
| 5 |
Stetson |
49 |
| 6 |
Canisius |
36 |
| 7 |
Drake |
22 |
| 8 |
Iona |
21 |
| 9 |
Merrimack |
12 |
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.
