SHELTON, Conn. -- The Fairfield University women's rowing team returned to the water on Saturday afternoon with a strong showing against host Sacred Heart University. The Stags picked up first place finishes by the first varsity 8 and the third varsity 8 in the season opening event.

The first race of the day featured varsity 8 boats with the Stags first varsity 8 taking the top spot with a time of 7:10.14, nine seconds better than Sacred Heart's runner up time. The Fairfield boat included Natalia Bertolotti, Flo Caces, Christina Caruso, Alexis Mason, Isabella King, Grace Fallon, Audrey Sedensky, Ana McDonough, and coxswain Faith Kenny. Head Coach David Patterson also entered the program's second varsity 8 boat which took third place with a time of 7:22.27. The entry included Rebecca Patti, Caroline McAndrew, Ali Guido, Ana Szymanski, Madi McSherry, Camryn Colonna, Meghan Megill, Chloe Lennon, and coxswain Erin Dobbs.

The second race included two Fairfield V8s and a V4 against one Sacred Heart entry. The Stags' 4V8 secured a second place finish with a time of 8:47.53 behind the efforts of Michaela Thompson, Molly Cronin, Sam Altomare, Sydney Timchak, Megan Blair, Morgan Connell, Cassie Reilly, Adalia Flores, and coxswain Charlotte Finnerty.

The varsity 4 crossed the finish line in third place by posting a time of 9:27.28 with Victoria Rego, Abby Morrill, Jessica DeMarse, Brenna McDonell, and Katelyn Banville comprising the boat. The 3V8 also competed in the race and took fourth place with Alicia Glasheen, Maddie Carter, Makayla Reardon, Emma Kramer, Kiersten Murray, Megan Lux, Kathryn Bergstom, Colleen Daghita, and coxswain Hannah Cross.

The third race brought the 1V8 and 2V8 back to the water and the two boats registered a second- and a third-place finish respectively. The 1V8 finished the race in 7:33.22 and featured Natalia Bertolotti, Flo Caces, Christina Caruso, Chloe Lennon, Isabella King, Grace Fallon, Audrey Sedensky, Ana McDonough, and coxswain Faith Kenny. The 2V8 took third place in 7:43.38 behind Ana Szymanski, Ali Guido, Sam Altomare, Morgan Connell, Madi McSherry, Camryn Colonna, Meghan Megill, Alexis Mason, and coxswain Erin Dobbs.
 
The final race of the day saw Fairfield enter two 8 boats and a 4 shell, a race highlighted by the 3V8 taking the top spot with a time of 8:14.14. The lineup included Alicia Glasheen, Maddie Carter, Makayla Reardon, Emma Kramer, Kiersten Murray, Megan Lux, Kathryn Bergstom, Colleen Dahita, and coxswain Hannah Cross. The 4V8 garnered the third slot (9:16.27) with Michaela Thompson, Molly Cronin, Sam Altomare, Sydney Timchak, Megan Blair, Morgan Connell, Cassie Reilly, Adalia Flores, and coxswain Charlotte Finnerty being responsible for the run. The Stags varsity 4 also entered the race and took fourth place by crossing the line in 9:36.87. Victoria Rego, Abby Morrill, Jess DeMarse, Brenna McDonell, and coxswain Katelynn Banville guided the boat to the finish.

"Today was all about getting on the race course to experience something we haven't had the opportunity to do since November 2019," Coach Patterson said. "Everyone put in a great effort. Extra praise is extended to our walk-ons who have had less days in a boat pre first race than I believe any walk-ons in our history having had the fall season essentially null and void with regard to time in the boat. Many thanks go to Coach John Brisson who got them to a skill level to be able to go out there and give everything they've had. We have more work to do but we raced and learned a lot in the process."