March 14, 2011
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By Sarah Tarasewicz
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF rowing team showed its strength Saturday morning as it dominated a home scrimmage vs. Jacksonville at the UCF Intercollegiate Rowing Center on Lake Pickett. The Knights posted victories in all five events they competed in, which included a nearly 16 second win by the varsity eight boat.
"The scrimmage was a great way to end our spring training and for the entire squad to kick-off its spring racing season," head coach Becky Cramer said. "We are looking forward to traveling to Austin (next weekend) to race against national-caliber teams and conference opponents."
In the opening event of the day, the varsity eight set the tone for the rest of the morning as it crossed the finish line in a time of 6:48.3 to win the race, with Jacksonville clocking in at 7:03.65 in second place.
The novice eight A team took its cue from the varsity, defeating the Dolphins with a time of 7:14.33. The visiting squad was second to cross in 7:47.40, while UCF's novice eight B boat finished in a time of 7:58.71.
In the novice four event, the Knights clocked in ahead of Jacksonville with a time of 8:51.94, while the second varsity eight also won its event in 6:56.71.
Three UCF squads competed in the final event of the day, with UCF's varsity four A boat gliding in for a first-place finish in 7:30.21, followed closely by the Knights' varsity four B boat in 7:36.21. Jacksonville took home third-place honors in the event by finishing in 7:42.55, while UCF's varsity four C squad crossed in a time of 7:51.88.
The scrimmage against the Dolphins was not only the first home regatta for the Black and Gold this season, but was the first for the varsity boats in 2011. The novice team hit the water earlier this month when it took home the Yeuell Trophy at the Metro Cup in Winter Park hosted by Rollins College. The Knights defeated the host Tars' varsity eight boat with a time of 7:59.0 to take home the yearly award.
UCF will officially open the 2011 season next weekend at the Longhorn Invitational hosted by Texas, where the Black and Gold picked up 12 victories last season.
The Knights will host its lone home event of the year April 30 vs. Miami.