FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University men's rowing team received good news when the national rowing rankings were released as the weekly poll showed that the Stags' lightweight 8 crew placed 15th in the nation. The crew comes off a successful weekend which saw it place second at the Kerr Cup and row against nationally-ranked Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) one day later.

"Rowing the lightweight eight is a new world for Fairfield University crew," Head Coach Charles Huthmaker said. "Historically, Fairfield has always competed in the Open weight events until this year. As the team progressed through winter training, this group gravitated together into a young but determined crew that has seen their hard work pay off."

Fairfield's lightweight 8 is comprised by Chris Lamberti, Max Vazquez, Sean Crosby, Liam Creegan, Mark Soldatic, Gregory Coppola, Seamus O'Brien, Garrett White, and coxswain Alyssa McNally. The group will certainly have its work cut out for them this weekend as it will face 13th-ranked Temple University on Saturday afternoon.

"Earning a ranking doesn't just give the team a recruiting boost, it gives the team a measurable goal on which it can improve," Huthmaker said. "It also holds these student-athletes to a higher standard now that they have a clear picture where we stand and where we plan on going in the next few years."