ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF rowing team collected wins in every event Saturday morning in a dual race against Miami on Lake Pickett.
The Knights won by open water lengths in all four events.
"It was a good day of racing," head coach Becky Cramer said. "A little bit breezy. The wind picked up as the day went on, but all boats handled it really well."
The Varsity Eight, which consisted of Olivia Hecimovich, Ashleigh Boyd, Claudia Destefani, Julie Poulsen, Lauren Aiello, Zana Krakic, Marija Medelinskaite, Viktorija Senkute and Mia Cleary, started the day with a winning time of 6:50.54.
In the Second Varsity Eight, the Knights crossed the line in 7:05.77. The boat consisted of Catherine Harms, Rachael Klunder, Jasmine Blais, Anna Mahoney, Ivana Krkljus, Leslie Lajoie, Rachel Rabinowitz, Edvina Nesukaityte and Danielle Taylor.
Three Black and Gold boats raced in the Varsity Four race. The V4, which consisted of Nicole Mayer, Aly Derksen, Shannon Perry, Grace Lindberg and Paula Parks, won with a time of 8:10.4. The 3V4, consisting of Kristen Taylor, Sydney Hays, Darby Brooks, Jacinta Kendall and Caitlin Ross, finished second with a time of 8:18.51. The 2V4, which consisted of Erica Jimenez, Jessika Scholz, Jazmin Sepulveda, Alyssa Ramos and Nicole Snyder, finished fourth with a time of 8:33.49.
The Third Varsity Eight rounded out the racing. The squad, which consisted of Ashley Martin, Liz Mallet, Raquel Smeenge, Danielle Wilson, Victoria Gingras, Ashley Barnes, Jordan Jahosky, Dina Samaan and Triston Krebs, crossed the line in 8:24.98 to defeat both Miami and Nova Southeastern.
Following the action on the water, the Knights recognized its 10-member senior class - Lauren Aiello, Jasmine Blais, Ashleigh Boyd, Olivia Hecimovich, Rachael Klunder, Anna Mahoney, Danielle Mikell, Jazmin Sepulveda, Danielle Taylor and Kristen Taylor.
"From the moment they stepped into this program, they have really helped define the championship culture that we have today," Cramer said. "They've embodied UCF rowing and that championship spirit. We absolutely wouldn't be where we are today without them."
The Knights return to action on May 13, heading to Sarasota to defend their American Athletic Conference championship title. The back-to-back champions serve as the host for the 2017 championships at Nathan Benderson Park.
Results
Varsity Eight
1. UCF 6:50.54
2. Miami 7:01.77
Second Varsity Eight
1. UCF 7:05.77
2. Miami 7:24.44
Varsity Four
1. UCF "A" 8:10.4
2. UCF "C" 8:18.51
3. Miami 8:27.49
4. UCF "B" 8:33.49
Third Varsity Eight
1. UCF 8:24.98
2. Miami 8:97.74
3. Nova Southeastern 9:09.22
