OAK RIDGE – The UCF rowing team turned in a runner-up performance at the 2021 American Athletic Conference Championship on Melton Lake Sunday morning.
UCF opened the morning with a photo finish from its Second Varsity Four. The squad of Kennedy Keith, Connery Cassidy, Emily Klysen, Georgia Coyne and Michaela Gundrum crossed the line just behind No. 12 SMU to take second in 7:38.283.
The Knights continued their silver medal performance in the Varsity Four race, making a push at the end to take second. The boat, consisting of Kenzie Harrod, Lindsey Buckreis, Aryann Johnson, Annberlee Hothem and Emma Leavens, finished in 7:31.773.
The Second Varsity Eight picked up the third silver medal of the day as the Knights took second. The squad of Lauren Roman, Emily Puia, Mia Cleary, Lauryn Bench, Charlotte Wiley, Jillian Lawrenson, Tegan Fookes, Tatum Cox and Martina Pischedda, crossed the line in 6:42.962.
The Varsity Eight rounded out racing with a fourth silver medal performance. UCF's squad of Elena Esteban, Leslie Lajoie, Amy Van Ryn, Julie Poulsen, Rusne Dziugyte, Abbie Pritchard, Maria Yim, Lara Maule and Luci Derrick, made a push down the course, walking through Tulsa to keep No. 11 SMU within reach, but the Knights were unable to catch the Mustangs. UCF finished second in 6:38.555.
Overall, UCF finished second in the team standings with 120 points. Five Knights were recognized by the league. Julie Poulsen, Leslie Lajoie and Mia Cleary earned first team all-conference honors while Elena Esteban and Amy Van Ryn were named second team all-conference honorees.
No. 12 SMU picked up wins in all four events to claim the team title and earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. The selection show will be held May 18 on NCAA.com. The 2021 NCAA Championships are May 28-30 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.
Team Results
1. No. 12 SMU 144 points
2. UCF 120 points
3. Tulsa 84 points
4. Sacramento State 84 points
5. Temple 48 points
Second Varsity Four
1. SMU 7:38.019
2. UCF 7:38.283
3. Temple 7:50.737
4. Tulsa 8:15.547
Varsity Four
1. SMU 7:27.420
2. UCF 7:31.773
3. Sacramento State 7:37.781
4. Tulsa 7:41.699
5. Temple 7:51.432
Second Varsity Eight
1. SMU 6:37.136
2. UCF 6:42.962
3. Sacramento State 6:54.066
4. Tulsa 6:58.907
5. Temple 7:00.568
Varsity Eight
1. SMU 6:35.916
2. UCF 6:38.555
3. Tulsa 6:39.891
4. Sacramento State 6:45.997
5. Temple 6:56.152
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