WEST WINDSOR, N.J. -- The Fairfield University women's rowing team went up against the best that the nation has to offer as the Stags completed their first day at the 2025 NCAA Championship which is being hosted at Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J. The varsity 8, the second varsity 8, and the varsity 4 each saw time in the water and looks to the semifinal day on Saturday which begins at 8:12 am.

In Fairfield's first race of the day, the varsity 8 entered the water for the third heat. The Stags grabbed the sixth slot in the heat by clocking in at 6:56.40 with Tennessee taking the top spot in 6:12.60. Rutgers (6:14.54) and California (6:17.19) rounded out the top three in the heat. Dartmouth and Boston University also were in their lanes for heat 3. Fairfield was represented by Arianna Welton, Shawn O'Brien, Kelly Cullen, Zuzanna Janusz, Victoria Conrad, Molly Squire, Catherine Morrissey, Sarah Wendling, and coxswain Lexi Tomlinson. With their time, the Stags will be in that first race on Saturday with Syracuse, Dartmouth, Pennsylvania, and Northeastern. The race begins at 9:04 am.

The second varsity 4 were next on the docket and completed the distance with a time of 7:13.74 with Princeton recording the top time of the heat at 6:18.28. Tennessee (6:21.01) and Michigan (6:25.77) finished second and third respectively while Central Florida and Northeastern were also in the event. The Stags' boat consisted of Megan Rourke, Cailey Chechitelli, Sasha Atencio, Mia Van Mater, Emma Szachta, Julie Pedrazzi, Miranda Schmidt, Grace McDonough, and coxswain Marianna Kalin. Fairfield will compete again on Saturday will return to the water at 9:28 am on Saturday along with Boston University, Pennsylvania, Central Florida, and Indiana.

The varsity 4 completed the team's day at the NCAAs with its heat, crossing the finish line in 8:06.21. Rutgers (7:08.16) and Syracuse (7:08.35) secured the top two spots while California, Central Florida, and Boston University completed the heat. Fairfield's entry was comprised by Gia Enderle, Caitlyn Gregitis, Audrey DiMarino, Catherine Martin, and coxswain Grace Tyszka. With the result, the Stags will go against Northeastern, Oregon State, Central Florida, and Indiana in a semifinal race which begins at 9:36 am.

The NCAA Rowing Championship is available for viewing by visiting NCAA.com. Live results are also available online.