LAKE WHEELER, N.C. – The UCF rowing team posted a strong showing on the opening day of the Lake Wheeler Invite, advancing all five of its boats to the A Finals.
The Varsity Eight, consisting of Elena Esteban, Amy Van Ryn, Julie Poulsen, Rusne Dziugyte, Emily Puia, Charlotte Wiley, Michaela Gundrum, Mia Cleary and Abbie Pritchard, started the day off with the second-fastest time in the heats. The squad crossed the line in 6:34.266 to advance to the evening repechage.
The Second Varsity Eight, consisting of Lauren Roman, Lauryn Bench, Georgia Coyne, Emily Klysen, Luci Derrick, Lindsey Buckreis, Maria Yim, Tatum Cox and Martina Pischedda, followed the V8's path – also posting the second-fastest time in the heats. The Knights were just two seconds off No. 13 Duke, finishing second in 6:45.447 to advance to the reps.
The Varsity Four, consisting of Kennedy Keith, Lara Maule, Tegan Fookes, Jillian Lawrenson and Aryann Johnson, won its heat to bypass the evening reps and advance straight into tomorrow's A Finals. The boat crossed the line in 7:24.664.
The Second Varsity Four, consisting of Kenzie Harrod, Emily Eastwood, Martyna Wasilewska, Annberlee Hothem and Connery Cassidy, finished second in its heat with a time of 7:34.912 to advance to the evening reps.
The Third Varsity Eight, consisting of Sofia Soria, Chiara Ciullo, Aenea Keren, Lexi Wilson, Saskia Papsova, Joelle Huttmann, Kayla Evers and Maura Shiner, finished third in its heat in 7:01.255 to advance to the A Final on Saturday.
The 2V4 opened the reps with a second place finish to advance to the A Final. The squad crossed the line in 7:40.227. The 2V8 won its rep with a time of 6:41.514 to advance to the A Final. The V8 closed out the day with a win in its rep, crossing the line in 6:41.514.
Saturday's racing will begin at 9 a.m. with the Third Varsity Eight. The Second Varsity Four's final will start at 9:30, followed by the Varsity Four at 10 and the Second Varsity Eight at 10:30. The Varsity Eight will close the weekend with the A Final at 11 a.m.
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