ORLANDO – The rowing team got off to a strong start to launch the 2024 season, sweeping all six of its races on Friday morning at the UCF Intercollegiate Rowing Center.
The Knights finished every race with open water to spare against the Jacksonville Dolphins and the UConn Huskies. It was the ideal Senior Day celebration for some who raced on Lake Pickett one final time.
UCF’s First 8+ driven by senior Mackenzie Harrod consisting of senior Martyna Wasilewska, freshman Ines Martin, senior Tegan Fookes, freshman Brigitte Kappler, fifth-year senior Aryann Johnson, senior Charlotte Wiley, freshman Maja Misljenovic and sophomore Hannah Lovejoy finished with a time of 7:05.60 to take first place. Placing second was Jacksonville at 7:26.10 followed by UConn with a time of 7:33.20.
The Knight’s Second 8+ finished first with a time of 7:12.80 followed by the Dolphins at 7:31.80 and the Huskies posted a time of 7:44.90. The Second 8+ was coxed by junior Julia Going and featured sophomore Natasjia Voulanas, senior Connery Cassidy, sophomore Veronica Rush, senior Seyene Oord, graduate student Liza Lutter, fifth-year senior Aubrie Russo, senior Martina Pischedda and freshman Coralie Detre.
The First 4+ consisting of sophomore coxswain Audrey Vilendrer, freshman Mal Thorsen, fifth-year senior Annberlee Hothem, junior Bella Montalvo and junior Claire Kaminski contributed to UCF’s sweep, crossing the finish line at 8:08.00. The Jacksonville I Four followed 8:33.70 and UConn with a time of 8:56.00.
The Knights’ Second 4+ posted an 8:25.67 finish ahead of the Dolphins’ 8:52.09 and the Huskies’ 9:36.93 finish with a boat featuring junior Meagan Lukavec, senior Sakia Papsova, sophomore Amber Tulloch and freshman Izzy Bate. The boat was coxed by sophomore Sophia Tursi.
The UCF Third 8+ (A) faced adversity in the opening 500 meters, losing control of an oar that knocked the boat back behind Jacksonville.
However, the Knights found power in the last 1,000 meters of the race and fought their way to an open-water win with a time of 7:01.57. The boat consisting of junior coxswain Elsa Cassellius, sophomore Bailey White, junior Melody Summers, sophomore Cate Maloney, freshman Reese Springer, sophomore Alina Tasman, sophomore Emily LaRochelle, freshman Karin Kudmani and freshman Alexa Konowal bested the Jacksonville III Eight’s time of 8:13.92 and UConn’s 8:30.95 finish.
UCF Third 8+ (B) consisting of freshman coxswain Alex Urzua-Geraud, sophomore Chloe Villani, freshman Jessica Kobetitsch, freshman Landyn Williams, sophomore Nikki Sterchele, freshman Kyra Moore, sophomore Madison Moreland, junior Jasmeen Fajardo-Lopez and freshman Hana Garey finished with a fourth-place time of 8:37.66.
The Knights’ Third 4+ dueled with the Dolphins’ but finished on top. Freshman coxswain Angelina Hassan, sophomore Ashley Tree, freshman Makayla Baxley, freshman Lexi Sanchez and freshman Emma Hunt crossed the finish line at 8:55.01 against Jacksonville’s 9:19.28.
After going six-for-six Friday morning, UCF will have two weeks before the team heads to Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota for the Sunshine State Invite on March 29 and 30.