OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — The Stetson University rowing programs concluded competition Sunday at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championship on Melton Lake, wrapping up a highly competitive weekend against a deep national field.
The Hatters saw strong performances across both the men's and women's sides, highlighted by a win in the Men's Varsity 8 B Final. Stetson crossed the line in 5:52.673 to take the top spot, finishing ahead of Florida Tech and Fordham in a tightly contested race.
"The boys had a great race so we had a great time and thank you FIT for letting us come race you," Ryder Bax said.
The men's 2nd Varsity 8 also competed in the B Final, finishing second with a time of 6:24.501 behind UNC, continuing to build on a strong showing in their first-ever appearance at SIRA.
"It was a great race. We pushed our hardest," Walker Hollmann said.
On the women's side, the Varsity 8 delivered one of the top performances of the day, winning the B Final with a time of 7:03.663. The result capped a strong weekend for the crew as they continued to gain speed against a competitive field.
Stetson's Women's Second Varsity 8 raced in the A Final, placing sixth with a time of 7:10.860, while the Varsity 4+ (Open) finished fifth in the B Final in 8:07.187. The Women's 2- crew added a fourth-place finish in the B Final with a time of 10:12.510.
"This weekend marked the first major away regatta of the season for the women's team," assistant coach Andrew Rouse said. "All of our boats had multiple racing opportunities down the course, competing in heats and semifinals on Saturday and finals on Sunday. Across the board, we saw improvement, with each crew building on its performance from race to race. There is still work to be done and more speed to find as we prepare for the MAAC Championship. We have a short week of training ahead and a quick turnaround as we travel to Connecticut for more conference racing against both Fairfield and Sacred Heart."
Head coach Jamie Francis emphasized the competitiveness of the event and the focus moving forward.
"Across the board, this was probably one of the most competitive SIRA regattas that I've ever been to," Francis said. "All of our boats showed that they have the capacity to be successful, but we're not able to put all of the pieces together at the same time. We have less than one month to figure out how to put all those pieces together and I'm confident they have the ability to do that."
Stetson Results
| Event |
Finish |
Time |
| Men's Varsity 8 (B Final) |
1st |
5:52.673 |
| Men's 2nd Varsity 8 (B Final) |
2nd |
6:24.501 |
| Women's Varsity 8 (B Final) |
1st |
7:03.663 |
| Women's 2nd Varsity 8 (A Final) |
6th |
7:10.860 |
| Women's Varsity 4+ (Open B Final) |
5th |
8:07.187 |
| Women's 2- (B Final) |
4th |
10:12.510 |
Women's Lineups:
Men's Lineups:
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.
