PENNSAUKEN, N.J. — The Stetson women's rowing team closed out its 2026 spring season Sunday morning at the MAAC Women's Rowing Championship on Cooper River Park in Pennsauken Township, N.J.
The Hatters competed in the Varsity 8, Second Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 events against the conference's top crews, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the Varsity 8 B Final.
Stetson's Varsity 8 crew of Jocalyn Ortega, Emma Rees, Sienna Meany, Maia Starrwalker, Ella Glover, Lauren Sweat, Noelle Zinn, Maria Lopez Martin and coxswain Sarah Sessions posted a time of 6:44.315 in the afternoon final, finishing second behind Fairfield and ahead of Jacksonville, Marist, Sacred Heart and Canisius.
Earlier in the morning heats, the Hatters recorded a time of 6:57.609 to finish third in their opening race behind Fairfield and Sacred Heart.
The Second Varsity 8 crew of Kara Hubbard, Emily Haynes, Gillian Dodge, Riley Olivero, Allie Haus, Julia Hickey, Asia Erickson, Abby Goulding and coxswain Sofia Cornetto turned in a time of 7:11.645 in the grand final to place fifth overall in the conference.
In the morning heat, the Hatters finished third behind Sacred Heart and Marist with a time of 7:21.003 to advance into the championship final.
Stetson's Varsity 4 crew of Samantha Plumb, Evelina Okonski, Savannah Clarke, Alexis Stivali and coxswain Ainsley Lynch raced to a sixth-place finish in the grand final with a time of 8:48.579.
The Hatters opened the day with a third-place finish in their heat after crossing in 8:54.708 behind Sacred Heart and Marist.
"Congratulations and thank you to our seniors," head coach Jamie Francis said. "Gillian, Maia, and Savannah were part of our first recruiting class and helped to transform this program. Chaylee joined us a year later and is graduating early. Dalia joined us last year as a transfer. Thank you for everything you've given to this team."
"Our boats this year were faster than previous years, but today's result is evidence that our conference continues to get more and more competitive and we will need to do more to be able to stay in the mix."
Jacksonville claimed the 2026 MAAC Women's Rowing Championship team title after winning the Varsity 8 grand final in 6:43.185.
Stetson Lineups
Stetson Results
| Event |
Heat Result |
Final Result |
| Varsity 8 |
3rd – 6:57.609 |
2nd – 6:44.315 |
| Second Varsity 8 |
3rd – 7:21.003 |
5th – 7:11.645 |
| Varsity 4 |
3rd – 8:54.708 |
6th – 8:48.579 |
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.
