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DELAND, Fla. — The Dolphins competed in their largest weekend of racing yet this season, dueling against No. 15 UCF and battling a crop of foes at the Stetson Showdown in DeLand, Florida.

“I’m really proud of our women over the last two days of racing. Everyone worked hard, made some mistakes but also learned from those mistakes,” head coach and Director of Rowing Mike Lane said. “This was a great preview as we head into our week of spring break training.”

The Stetson Showdown was a roaring success for the Dolphins, winning several key races against the likes of UConn, Stetson and Wesleyan. Jacksonville took three first-place finishes on the day, adding to their growing string of wins this season.

The first Varsity 8+ was the fastest crew of the day and the only sub-seven minute time of the day, racing in 6:57.7, nearly 15 seconds clear of the field. The second Varsity 8+ was similarly dominant, finishing in 7:13.7, 14.2 seconds clear of second place UConn. 

The Dolphins second varsity eight would’ve finished within two seconds of UConn’s first varsity eight and third among the first varsity eights.

Jacksonville also took gold in the second varsity 4+, with a nearly 19 second win for the second varsity 4+ while the third varsity 4+ placed just behind and clear of every other school in the race.

The Dolphins posted second place finishes in the first varsity 4+ and the third varsity 8+, with the Huskies taking top prize in those races.

Prior to Saturday’s regatta in DeLand, the Dolphins faced off against nationally ranked UCF. In a celebration of Florida rowing, Jacksonville placed behind the Knights in three fours and three eights. 

In the first varsity eight, the Dolphins actually posted a faster finish than their first-place prize in DeLand, finishing a 6:48.8 time, 24.4 seconds back of UCF.Â