May 14, 2006
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Racing at the Pacific Coast Rowing Championships on Lake Natoma on Saturday afternoon, the UCF varsity lightweight eight boat posted one of its best performances of the year. The Golden Knights, ranked fifth nationally, finished first at 7:01.5, eight seconds head of No. 7 Stanford.
UCF's crew was challenged by Stanford in the first 500 meters of the race, but pulled away from the Cardinal at the 1,000 meter mark. Stanford finished at 7:09.4, followed by California (7:17.3) and Sacramento State (7:22.2).
The Golden Knights were racing for the final time before they will compete in the IRA National Championship in June in New Jersey.
"This weekend was one of our best executed performances and I am pleased with the results," said UCF assistant coach Corrie McGrath. "We have another three weeks to prepare for IRAs and are looking to build speed going into the national championships."
The varsity lightweight eight boat had not been in action since April 9 when it raced at the Knecht Cup in New Jersey.
Lightweight Varsity Eight:
1. UCF 7:01.5
2. Stanford 7:09.4
3. California 7:17.3
4. Sacramento State 7:22.2