OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (UCFKnights.com) – The reigning four-time American Athletic Conference rowing champion has arrived in Oklahoma City looking to defend the title for a fifth-straight year.
Originally scheduled for heats and finals on Sunday, severe weather that is expected in Oklahoma City this weekend has changed the racing schedule. The teams will now race in a seven-team straight final on Friday morning at the US Rowing National High Performance Center on the Oklahoma River.
Unfortunately, the championship will no longer be streamed; however, there will still be live results. Full coverage information is available on The American’s championship central.
The Varsity Eight will open the racing at 8 a.m. ET/7 a.m. CT. The Second Varsity Eight, Varsity Four and Second Varsity Four will follow in 30 minute increments. The Third Varsity Eight and the Third Varsity Four will conclude the championship at 9:40 a.m. ET and 9:50 a.m. ET, respectively.
Championship scoring follows a new format in 2019. The conference’s team championship and automatic qualifier will be determined by points accrued in the three NCAA events: Varsity Four, Second Varsity Eight and Varsity Eight. Titles will be awarded in the Third Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Four and Third Varsity Four.
Last year, UCF earned its fourth-straight team title, as well as the Varsity Eight and Second Varsity Eight event titles. Both the V8 and the 2V8 have won their events for the last four years and have never finished lower than second in the finals in the history of the league.
The Black and Gold have been recognized by the league twice this season, with the Varsity Eight picking up the first Boat of the Week honor this season and the Varsity Four earning the distinction in the second week.
Order of Events
Varsity Eight – 8 am ET/7 am CT
Second Varsity Eight – 8:30 am ET/7:30 am CT
Varsity Four – 9 am ET/8 am CT
Second Varsity Four – 9:30 am ET/8:30 am CT
Third Varsity Eight – 9:40 am ET/8:40 am CT
Third Varsity Four – 9:50 am ET/8:50 am CT
*Awards slated from 10:45 a.m. ET/9:45 a.m. CT