FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University rowing teams will return to the water this weekend after having a week away from competitive racing. The Stags will take on Iona University, Loyola University, and host Lehigh University on Saturday. Both the men and women will place their varsity 8 and second varsity 8 boats in competition as well as the varsity 4 and second varsity 4 boats against the trio of opponents.

The Stags opened the spring season with a fine showing at the Jesuit Invitational with the men and women putting together solid finishes in all races. On the women's side, the varsity 8 took third place while the second varsity 8 grabbed a second-place run to highlight the day for the Stags.

"The women got off to a good start at the Jesuit Invitational," Head Coach David Patterson said. "A third place in the first varsity 8 and second place in the second varsity 8 is a good set of results in these boat classes. We have struggled at this event for many years but in the last four we have had a marked improvement in competitiveness.

The men enjoyed an equally successful day on the river with the varsity 8 (3^rd), the second varsity 8 (2^nd), and the novice 8 (2^nd) all showcasing their abilities.

"All the guys understand that racing in the eights is what the sport is all about in the college space and we continue to embrace the challenge," Coach Patterson said. "We know that continuing to work through the hard days of competition is what will eventually bring us to an elevated competitive level. With conditions altering the state of the course by the second, it did not go unnoticed that all three men's eights posted close to the same time. It is this type of competition that will inspire the guys to the greater speed we need to be competitive at this level."

Following this meet with Lehigh, Iona, and Loyola, both the men's and women's teams will be back to action on April 12-13 at the Knecht Cup. The event will take place on the Cooper River in New Jersey.