Sunshine State Showdown

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF rowing team returns to action Friday at the Sunshine State Invitational. The two-day regatta will take place at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.
 
Combining with the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships, the field will feature four Florida squads in UCF, Jacksonville, Miami and Stetson. Alabama, Kansas State, North Carolina and Tulsa will also line up on the water.
 
UCF returns to the Sunshine State after a strong showing at the Longhorn Invitational. The Knights advanced three boats – the Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight and Varsity Four – to the A Final.
 
The Knights have already lined up against two squads this season, as both Jacksonville and Stetson raced against UCF on Lake Pickett. The Black and Gold captured its second straight American Athletic Conference title in 2016, finishing 30 points ahead of second-place Tulsa in the final team standings.

The regatta will also serve as a chance for the Knights to line up on the course that will host the 2017 American Athletic Conference Championships. UCF will return on May 13 to defend its back-to-back league championship title in Sarasota.
 
The Second Varsity Four will open the racing at 3:20 p.m. on Friday.