FAIRFIELD, Conn. – With the Fall season coming to a close in a week or two, the Fairfield University rowing teams look to continue to hone those skills that have not only brought success in the month of October but will also provide the foundation for the Spring campaign.

Last week, the Stags competed at the prestigious Head of the Charles with both teams placing their eights up against some of the top programs and clubs not only in the region but also in the nation. The women's four secured another top 10 finish and an automatic qualifier for the 2025 edition of the meet.

"While clearly there is an element of boat priority and luck that comes into play at the Charles, the reality is so few of our athletes get to compete at this prestigious event, they are never going to take it for granted and will work with a focus and diligence that comes with their privilege of representation," Director of Rowing Dr. David Patterson said. "A big reason for our success over the past two years also has to stem from the fact that the men's top four came third place and medaled in 2022 which altered the mindset of the women to think more about chasing down medal success rather than stressing top half and automatic qualification."

This week, Coach Patterson will look for the team to focus on another top-tier event that will feature just as much competition as the Head of the Charles provided last week.

"The Head of the Schuylkill does not bring in competitive drop off in standard compared to Head of the Charles and it frankly can be even more daunting," Coach Patterson said. "In Boston we might have to face a rival in one boat. In Philly we are going to get to see rivals in all their boats so as we look to build our team for a championship performance in May, we also get to see how we stack up against those rivals."

The teams will head south for the Head of the Schuylkill on Saturday with multiple entries in several events. The Stags will place one entry in the championship 8 event as well as two boats in the club championship 8. The team will round out its day with one crew in the  novice 4. For the women, Fairfield will enter one boat in the championship 8, two in the club championship 8, one in the novice 8, and one in the championship 4 during the one-day event.

While the men will finish up their Fall season this weekend, the women's program still has one more date on the docket. The Stags will row at the Heart of the Housatonic on Saturday, November 2 in Shelton, Conn.