SHELTON, Conn. -- The varsity 8 picked up a first-place finish to highlight the Fairfield University women's rowing participation at the Sacred Heart Invitational. The day also included competition for the second varsity 8, the varsity 4, and the second varsity 4.

The varsity 8 earned gold by edging host Sacred Heart University, completing the distance in 7:05.2 which was nine seconds better than the Pioneers. The Stags were represented by Arianna Welton, Shawn O'Brien, Kelly Cullen, Zuzanna Janusz, Victoria Conrad, Molly Squire, Catherine Morrissey, Sarah Wendling, and coxswain Lexi Tomlinson.

Fairfield placed second in the second varsity 8 race by clocking in at 7:26.0, finishing second to Sacred Heart (7:17.9) but ahead of Vassar and Sacred Heart's second entry. The Stags' entry included Megan Rourke, Cailey Chechitelli, Sasha Atencio, Mia Van Mater, Emma Szachta, Julie Pedrazzi, Miranda Schmidt, Grace McDonough, and coxswain Marianna Kalin.

Fairfield was runner up to Sacred Heart in the varsity 4 race, ending the event with a time of 8:41.2 behind the efforts of Audrey DiMarino, Jill Newman, Gia Enderle, Ava Bistoff, and coxswain Grace Tyszka.

In the second varsity 4, the Stags put two boats on the water with the B shell crossing the line fourth in 8:50.9 and the A boat taking sixth in 9:18.4. The A crew was comprised by Catherine Martin, Grace Polatsek, Cate Quinones, Caity Gregitis, and coxswain Alisa Tsavaris. The B crew consisted of Ainsley Hoekzema, Sadie Eppinger, Nora O'Connell, Molly Cleary, and coxswain Emma Sieger.

The women's rowing team will begin preparation for the 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship on May 18 in Pennsauken, N.J.