SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Stetson men's rowing team wrapped up its 2026 season over the weekend at the prestigious IRA National Championship on Lake Natoma, competing against some of the nation's top collegiate rowing programs in the Men's Varsity 4+ event.
The Hatters earned their place among the country's elite after qualifying for the national regatta and faced a challenging field throughout the three-day championship.
On Friday, Stetson opened competition in the Men's Varsity 4+ time trial before advancing to a semifinal that featured some of the top crews in collegiate rowing, including California, Princeton, Syracuse, Cornell, and Colgate. The Hatters posted a time of 6:49.57 in the semifinal, finishing sixth in a race that included four eventual A Final qualifiers.
Stetson's crew of coxswain Alexander Moore, stroke Lukasz Bajorek, Endrik Brettmann, Ian Harres, and Samuel Tise remained competitive through the opening half of the race, reaching the 1,000-meter mark in 3:24.67 before the nationally-ranked crews began to separate over the final 1,000 meters.
The Hatters returned to the water Saturday morning for the Third Final, racing against Brown, St. Joseph's, Colgate, Florida Tech, and San Diego. Stetson turned in its fastest performance of the weekend, crossing the finish line in 6:48.87 to place fifth. The race was tightly contested, with just 2.01 seconds separating the Hatters from third-place Colgate and 1.33 seconds from fourth-place Florida Tech.
The appearance marked another milestone for the Stetson program as it competed on the national stage against programs from the Ivy League, Pac-12, ACC, and other traditional rowing powers at the sport's premier collegiate championship. The IRA National Championship featured the nation's top crews competing over three days at Lake Natoma in Sacramento.
Stetson Varsity 4+ Lineup
Results
| Event |
Place |
Time |
| Varsity 4+ Semifinal ABC |
6th |
6:49.57 |
| Varsity 4+ Third Final |
5th |
6:48.87 |
Varsity 4+ Semifinal ABC
- California – 6:30.22
- Princeton – 6:34.09
- Syracuse – 6:39.20
- Cornell – 6:43.71
- Colgate – 6:46.91
- Stetson – 6:49.57
Varsity 4+ Third Final
- Brown – 6:43.00
- St. Joseph's – 6:43.15
- Colgate – 6:46.86
- Florida Tech – 6:47.54
- Stetson – 6:48.87
- San Diego – 6:49.22
With the IRA National Championship complete, the Hatters conclude the 2026 campaign after a season that included appearances at both the Dad Vail Regatta and IRA National Championship, continuing the program's rise on the national collegiate rowing stage.
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.
