RALEIGH, N.C. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF rowing team raced twice at the Lake Wheeler Invitational on Saturday.
The Knights finished third as a team, just one point behind Navy in the standings.
The Varsity Eight, consisting of Nicole Mayer, Edvina Nesukaityte, Julie Poulsen, Grace Lindberg, Mia Cleary, Leslie Lajoie, Marija Medelinskaite, Abbie Pritchard and Luci Derrick posted the second-fastest time of the morning at 6:35.070.
The Second Varsity Eight squad of Elena Esteban, Aly Derksen, Rusne Dziugyte, Maria Yim, Lauryn Bench, Shannon Perry, Michaela Gundrum, Rachel Rabinowitz and Lara Maule won their heat and posted the third-fastest time in the event at 6:41.650.
The Knights’ Varsity Four of Carlee Hoschouer, Chiara Ciullo, Jessica Matteson, Paula Parks and Amy Van Ryn won their heat with the fastest time of the morning. UCF crossed the line in 7:18.461 – nearly four seconds ahead of No. 17 Duke’s time of 7:22.070.
UCF’s Third Varsity Eight, consisting of Taylor Jenko, Lauren Roman, Sophia Lopez, McKenna Williams, Alexis Alonso, Emily Puia, Carina Rodriguez, Liz Isom and Nivia Garcia crossed the line in 7:08.862 to finish second in their heat.
The Second Varsity Four, consisting of Jillian Jernas, Tatum Cox, Sydney Hays, Grace Trujillo and Amy Licht, won its heat with the second-fastest time of the morning at 7:29.755.
In the finals, the Varsity Eight finished second in the second final with a time of 6:36.319. The Second Varsity Eight finished third in the first final with a time of 6:42.035. The Third Varsity Eight won its final with a time of 7:04.120. The Varsity Four finished second in the first final with a time of 7:18.200. The Second Varsity Four finished third in the first final with a time of 7:33.409.
UCF will now turn its sights to defending its title at the American Athletic Conference Championship. The 2019 championship will take place May 19 in Oklahoma City.