SHELTON, Conn. -- Strong currents and windy conditions posed problems for all four teams on Saturday, as the Fairfield University, Fordham University, Sacred Heart University, and United States Military Academy rowing teams came together in Shelton for a full slate of races.

            "The weather for the day's racing made conditions pretty rough," Fairfield Head Coach David Patterson said. "But as a group, Fairfield's coaches and student athletes alike followed the lead of the weather."

            As has been in the case for most of the last four weeks, the men's pair of James Jessup and Ben Andrews dominated the competition with a strong performance. The pair posted another victory in this meet, which should prepare the duo for the tough competition at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championships in two weeks.

            The women's varsity eight of Christina DiCioccio, Alysse Merullo, Lindsay Ryan, Kim Kesting, Bridgette Sliva, Mary Crowley, MC Taylor, Sam Rosen, and coxswain Mia Pallari took fourth place against a field which included a fast Fordham team followed by Sacred Heart and Army.

            "While the week of training proved to be very productive with people getting a better picture of their relative speed within the whole squad, the final race selections for Saturday's varsity eight did not perform as well as they needed," according to Patterson.

            The women's second varsity were grateful to sophomore Kelly Waldron who stepped up from the novice eight race to complete the line up after a withdrawal from a student athlete who was ill. The crew that raced against Fordham and Army included Amelia Mazzola, Alexa Hoehne, Krissi Gorsuch, Jessica Keefe, Karisten Strong, Waldron, Lorna Baggott, Meghan Sullivan, and coxswain Susan Clancy. The team finished between Fordham and Army for second place.

            In the women's novice eight, Jessica Curley, Waldron, Christine Beggan, Michelle Cote, Meredith Davide, Amanda Urena, Caitlin O'Sullivan, Emily Filiano and coxswain Jen Sheils crossed the finish line in third place with Sacred Heart winning the event.

            "I think this was the crew's best racing performance to date," Patterson said. "But, we were reminded that only real commitment to training will keep us from falling behind our competition."

            The Stags placed entries into both varsity four races. The men's varsity four of Chris Melcher, John O'Hara, Matt McDonagh, Jorge Espino, and coxswain Matt Greninger took second place behind Fordham, but ahead of Army. The women's varsity four secured third place, a crew which included Mary Crowley, Christina DiCioccio, Kim Kesting, and Lindsay Ryan. Fordham and Army finished ahead of the Stags in that race with Sacred Heart finishing fourth.

            Perhaps the biggest surprise came from the women's novice four because the four student athletes took second place despite rowing together for the first time. Amelia Mazzola, Alexa Hoehne, Bridgette Sliva, and Jessica Keefe enjoyed a solid effort for Fairfield.