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GOLD RIVER, Calif. (UCFKnights.com) - It was a speedy Saturday for the UCF rowing team at the 2016 NCAA Rowing Championships at the Sacramento Aquatic Center.
All three of UCF's boats posted their fastest times of the weekend, finishing fourth in their heats and advancing to the D Finals on Sunday.
The Varsity Eight jumped out to a quick start to open Saturday action on Lake Natoma. The boat, consisting of Olivia Hecimovich, Ashleigh Boyd, Lauren Aiello, Viktorija Senkute, Ivana Krkljus, Zana Krakic, Marija Medelinskaite, Rachael Klunder and Julia Chase, posted its fastest time of the weekend, crossing the line in 6:38.764.
The Knights were edged by Indiana for fourth place in their heat, but finished ahead of Jacksonville by a length of open water. The Black and Gold advance to Sunday's D Finals at 9:00 a.m. PT/noon PT.
The Second Varsity Eight carried the momentum into its semifinal. The squad, consisting of Catherine Harms, Edvina Nesukaityte, Jasmine Blais, Dani Burton, Sarah Gordon, Grace Lindberg, Lauren Wasko, Danielle Taylor and Leonie Hamel, posted its fastest time of the weekend.
The Knights shaved nearly 15 seconds off their repechage time, posting a 6:55.406 time on Saturday. The Black and Gold held off Rhode Island for a fourth place finish in their heat, and will advance to the D Finals on Sunday at 8:36 a.m. PT/11:36 a.m. ET.
The Varsity Four continued the trend in UCF's final race of the day. The boat, consisting of Kristen Taylor, Jazmin Sepulveda, Rachel Rabinowitz, Vitoria Artmann and Paula Parks, closed out the semifinals with their fastest time of the weekend.
The squad shaved 15 seconds off its repechage, posting a time of 7:51.294. The Black and Gold crossed the line over three seconds ahead of Rhode Island for fourth place, and advance D finals on Sunday at 8:12 a.m PT/11:12 a.m. ET.
Saturday Results
Varsity Eight - C/D Semifinals
1. Gonzaga 6:29.093
2. Yale 6:30.024
3. Indiana 6:32.194
4. UCF 6:38.764
5. Jacksonville 7:07.315
Second Varsity Eight - C/D Semifinals
1. Indiana 6:40.920
2. Gonzaga 6:45.686
3. Northeastern 6:49.698
4. UCF 6:55.406
5. Rhode Island 6:57.991
Varsity Four
1. Duke 7:224.262
2. USC 7:28.344
3. Navy 7:30.597
4. UCF 7:51.294
5. Rhode Island 7:54.938