SSC Championships Complete With Spartans Placing Among Top Teams

SARASOTA, Fla. – The 2026 Sunshine State Conference Women's Rowing Championship took place on Friday morning at Benderson Park. The Rollins College Tars took first place in the event, capturing their first SSC title since 2002.

The University of Tampa had a pair of rowers honored, led by All-Sunshine State Conference selection Jenna Manning. Danielle Eaton was also recognized as a member of the all-freshman/novice team.

The Varsity Four was the first race of the day. Nova Southeastern crossed the finish line with a time of 7:50.8 for the trophy. Rollins took second, finishing 3.3 seconds behind. Tampa claimed third, finishing 4.1 seconds behind the Sharks, and just 0.8 seconds in front of Embry-Riddle. Barry rounded out the participants in fifth, 37.4 seconds behind the leader.  

Embry-Riddle dominated the Varsity 8 race, breezing past the competition with a time of 7:01.1. Rollins repeated their efforts from the 4, taking second place as they finished 12.6 seconds behind the Eagles. Nova Southeastern was third at 28.3 seconds behind, followed by the Tampa Spartans, 37.9 seconds back. 

Rollins claimed the conference title with a final score of 20 points. Embry-Riddle and Nova Southeastern tied with 19 points each, with the tie-breaker going the Eagles' way based on Varsity 8 finish. Tampa finished fourth overall with 12 points, with Barry in fifth thanks to two points. 

The following rowers were named to the All-SSC team: 

Sophie Bolan, Rollins 
Abby Kleba, Rollins 
Teagan Hanley, Rollins 
Claire Opal-Levine (coxswain), Rollins 
Aria Moses, Embry-Riddle 
Abby Webb, Embry-Riddle 
Alisa Hobbs, Barry 
Chrysta Snair, Nova Southeastern 
Jenna Manning, Tampa 

The following rowers were named to the All-Freshman/Novice team:
Teagan Hanley, Rollins
Lauren Hoffman, Embry-Riddle
Gianna Middleton, Nova Southeastern
Dani Eaton, Tampa
Ruth Burge, Barry