LAKE MAITLAND, WINTER PARK, Fla. (February 28, 2026) - The TARS hosted Jacksonville University and Central Florida Rowing (UCF) for their season opener Saturday on Lake Maitland. The weather and early morning fog cleared just in time for a perfect day of racing, where Rollins captured victories in the Pair and Novice 4.
Rollins earned its first win of the day in the Men's Pair, as
Dylan Drew (P) and
Brennan Duntley (S) delivered a composed and controlled race from start to finish.
The Tars posted a respectable time in the Varsity 8, finishing just seven seconds behind Jacksonville and four seconds ahead of Central Florida in a tightly contested race.
The Varsity 8 lineup:
Rollins also posted second-place finishes in the Second Varsity 8, Varsity 4, Second Varsity 4, and Second Novice 4, showcasing strong depth throughout the roster.
"This is a very young group with 15 rowers competing in their first-ever rowing race," commented Coach Pistor. "These guys add a lot to the program, and the upperclassmen are leading them in the right direction."
The Novice 4 race was one of the most exciting of the morning. You could see the nerves and anticipation on the faces of the rowers as they sat at the catch waiting for the official to drop the starting flag and say "GO." These athletes, along with their teammates, have been training since September, preparing for this first race, not fully knowing what to expect. Every rower remembers what it feels like to finally line up against an opponent with a medal on the line.
The winning Novice 4+ lineup:
The crew took off and never looked back. After laying down a strong start, they settled into a rhythm that steadily pushed Central Florida and Jacksonville back throughout the race. They executed their race plan and remained in the driver's seat from start to finish, earning their first win, one they will look to build on throughout the season.
Rollins returns to Lake Maitland next weekend (March 7 - 7:50 a.m. start) for the Rollins Invitational, the final home regatta before hitting the road for the remainder of the season. The TARS will host the University of Florida and Embry-Riddle in what promises to be another competitive day of racing.
Thank you to all alumni and parents who were able to attend Saturday's regatta. The coaches and rowers appreciate your continued support.
