ORLANDO – The UCF rowing team collected a trio of wins against Miami on Lake Pickett Friday afternoon.
With incoming inclement weather, the schools decided to move up racing by 30 minutes and reversed the order of events.
The Varsity Eight, consisting of Elena Esteban, Julie Poulsen, Amy Van Ryn, Emily Puia, Rusne Dziugyte, Michaela Gundrum, Seyene Oord, Abbie Pritchard and Mia Cleary, started off the day with a victory, crossing the finish line in 6:38.71.
The Second Varsity Eight, consisting of Lauren Roman, Lindsey Buckreis, Maria Yim, Lauryn Bench, Tegan Fookes, Charlotte Wiley, Martina Pischedda, Emily Klysen and Luci Derrick, finished second to the Hurricanes with a time of 6:55.32.
UCF took the top two spots with a pair of boats in the Fours race. The "A" boat, consisting of Kennedy Keith, Lara Maule, Aryann Johnson, Annberlee Hothem and Tatum Cox, posted an open water win with a time of 7:33.71. The "B" boat, consisting of Kenzie Harrod, Emily Eastwood, Connery Cassidy, Jillian Lawrenson and Martyna Wasilewska, finished nearly nine seconds ahead of Miami to take second in 7:40.95.
The Knights' Third Varsity Eight "A," consisting of Mackenzie Walton, McKenna Williams, Chiara Ciullo, Aenea Keren, Kayla Evers, Saskia Papsova, Jennifer Finch, Maura Shiner and Lindsey Evans, posted an open water win in the final event, crossing the line in 7:10.76.
The Third Varsity Eight "B," consisting of Lauren Roman, Kirstan Menello, Lexi Wilson, Kinley Zink, Peyton Hood, Joelle Huttmann, Aubrie Russo, Grace Poole and Gabby Kahn, was in third place coming down the course, but kept Miami within reach. The Knights made their move in the final 500 meters and edged the Hurricane at the finish line to take second in 7:25.60.
UCF returns to action next weekend, heading to the Lake Wheeler Invite in North Carolina.
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