ORLANDO - The UCF rowing team opened up the 2023 season with a strong showing by the Varsity Four squads on Friday morning on Lake Pickett.
The Knights' last push in the Varsity Four race allowed the team to take first place with a time of 7:57.5 to push past the Hurricanes who finished second with a time of 7:59.0. In third place came the Dolphins with a time of8:07.4 and the Huskies to round off the race at 8:15.8.The Knights Varsity Four squad consisted of coxswain Sophia Troia with Connery Cassidy, Tegan Fookes, Kelly Brown, Saskia Papsova.
UCF's second win of the day came in the Second Varsity Four regatta with a team consisting of Sofia Soria, Meagan Lukavec, Melody Summers, Aubrie Russo and Bailey White. The Knights crossed the finish line at 8:26.0.Following UCF was Jacksonville A with a time of 8:28.8. UConn followed in third place at 9:11.1 and Jacksonville B with 9:17.7.
To start the morning, the Varsity Eight squad consisting of Julia Going, Charlotte Wiley, Emma Leavens, Anna Kayser Gallego, Lauren Montgomery, Hannah Lovejoy, Natasjia Voulanas, Lindsey Buckreis and Georgia Coyne came in second to Miami with a time of 7:07.0.Jacksonville followed in third place crossing the finish line at 7:14.9 with UConn following behind at 7:17.9.
Following the Varsity Eights, the Knights' Second Varsity Eights consisting of Mackenzie Harrod, Annberlee Hothem, Seyene Oord, Emily Puia, Aryann Johnson, Veronica Rush, Martyna Wasilewska, Emily Klysen and Martina Pischedda fell just over three seconds short to Miami to take second with a time of 7:07.9.The Dolphins came behind with a time of 7:24.1 and UConn at 7:28.0.
The Knights Third Varsity Eight included a team with Elsa Cassellius leading a boat of walk-on novices Talyah Madison, Carolina Dovali, Jordan Simeon, Falon Rateau, Chloe Villani, Brande Fox, Ashley Tree and Ashley Tyles got off to a hot start, leading most of the way before slipping later in the race.UCF finished 2.5 seconds behind Miami's first-place time of 8:48.0 with a time of 8:50.5. UConn finished second with 8:49.5 and Jacksonville trailed with a time of 8:57.7.
The last race of the day was an exhibition Third Varsity Four race which was a matchup between Miami and a UCF all-freshman team including Audrey Vilendrer, Hannah Lovejoy, Carolann Beck, Cate Maloney, and Emily LaRochelle.The team finished behind Miami with a time of 10:15.3.
Next weekend, The Knights will head to Sarasota for the Sunshine State Invite at Nathan Benderson Park on March 31 and 1.
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Gameday app right to your iOS or Android phone. The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news. Click here to download the app now.