DeLAND, Fla. — The Stetson University rowing programs welcomed a large field of competitors to Lake Beresford on Saturday for the Stetson Showcase at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center. Crews from Connecticut, Embry-Riddle, Florida Tech, Jacksonville, Nova Southeastern, Rollins, and Wesleyan competed throughout the day across a full slate of 2,000-meter races.
Conditions proved challenging throughout the regatta as winds shifted between cross-head and cross-tail at 5–10 mph, with water ranging from calm to light chop. Floating starts were utilized for all races, and boat wake added another layer of difficulty as conditions changed rapidly from flight to flight.
Stetson's women's Varsity 8 delivered the highlight performance of the day for the Hatters, capturing its flight with a time of 7:23.0. The Hatters edged Wesleyan by just over two seconds as the Cardinals finished in 7:25.1, while Rollins followed in 7:43.6.
"The Varsity 8 had the best performance of the morning with their win over Wesleyan and Rollins," women's coach Andrew Rouse said. "Racing was competitive throughout the day, even as conditions worsened for all crews on the water."
In the women's 2nd Varsity 8 race, Stetson turned in another strong performance, finishing second with a time of 7:27.3 behind Embry-Riddle (7:24.5) and ahead of Rollins (7:34.6). The Hatters also competed in the Varsity Four, where Nova Southeastern posted a winning time of 8:22.0 while Stetson crossed the line in 8:54.1.
Earlier flights saw Jacksonville and Connecticut post several of the top times of the day. Jacksonville captured the opening Varsity 8 race in 6:57.7 ahead of Connecticut (7:12.0), Embry-Riddle (7:19.4), and Nova Southeastern (8:05.4). The Dolphins also won the first 2nd Varsity 8 race in 7:13.7, while Connecticut later secured the Varsity Four with a time of 8:03.2.
The Stetson men also turned in a strong showing during the regatta. In the Varsity 8, the Hatters finished second in their race with a time of 6:14.2, just behind Wesleyan's winning mark of 6:09.0, while Rollins followed in 6:40.4.
Stetson earned a victory in the men's 2nd Varsity 8, crossing the line in 6:32.1 ahead of Rollins (6:58.1). The result marked the first spring-season race win for the men's 2V8 since the current coaching staff took over the program.
On the men's side of the early races, Jacksonville narrowly edged Embry-Riddle in the opening Varsity 8 with a time of 6:13.6 to 6:14.0, while Wesleyan claimed the 2nd Varsity 8 in 6:11.0 and the 3rd Varsity 8 in 6:21.0. Wesleyan also won the 4th Varsity 8 race in 6:30.0.
Head coach Jamie Francis emphasized the value of racing a strong regional field as the Hatters continue progressing through the spring season.
"Overall, it was a productive day on the water," Francis said. "We got to see many of our in-state competitors along with a few from outside of the region. Our performance today could have been better, but if we learned something from what we did today and are able to apply it then it should be overall a very productive day on the water."
Rouse noted that the team will continue building toward upcoming championship races.
"The team finished another hard day of racing at home on Lake Beresford," Rouse said. "There is definitely more work to be done and we will be ready for what lies ahead as we look toward SIRA in Oak Ridge, Tennessee next month."
The Stetson Showcase marked one of the Hatters' largest home events of the spring, bringing multiple programs to Lake Beresford for a full day of racing as teams continue preparing for championship competition later this season.
Results from the Stetson Showcase were posted on Row2K following the conclusion of the event. For updates, behind-the-scenes content, and the latest news surrounding Stetson Rowing, fans are encouraged to follow the Hatters on their respective social media platforms throughout the season.
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.
