SARASOTA, Fla. – The No. 25 UCF rowing team showed out on day one of the Sarasota 2K at Nathan Benderson Park, taking first place in all five heats, sending each boat to their respective grand finals starting tomorrow at 8:08 a.m.
The afternoon started with a trio of time trials for the First 8+, Second 8+ and the First 4+, helping place the boats into categories for the upcoming heats.
Heats got going with the Second 4+ crossing the finish line with a 6:41.73 time, eight seconds faster than second-place Dartmouth, sending both crews to Saturday’s A Final.
UCF’s next boat down was the Third 8+, who turned up the heat just a little bit more, creating a 9.82 second gap between Miami who was the next boat to cross. The Knights earned a 7:14.65 time. The two Florida programs, joined by Michigan State, advance to Saturday’s A Final.
The Knights continued the charge throughout the afternoon as the First 4+ was next. They kept the trend going, earning a five-second victory with a time of 7:27.67, advancing to the A Final.
The Black and Gold posted another sub seven-minute time with the Second 8+, posting a 6:51.63 time, finishing 8.97 ticks ahead of No. 18 Alabama’s boat.
UCF’s final boat of the day didn’t disappoint as the First 8+ crossed the line with a time of 6:37.31, finishing first to give the Knights a perfect five-for-five performance in their heats.
TOMORROW’S RACING SCHEDULE
The Black and Gold get going on Saturday at 8:08 a.m. with the Second 4+ Grand Final, facing conference-mates Kansas and Tulsa, along with Miami, Jacksonville and Dartmouth.
The Third 8+’s Grand Final will take place at 8:24 against Dartmouth, Miami, Kansas, Miami and Michigan State.
The First 4+ Grand Final gets going at 10 a.m. as UCF races No. 19 North Carolina, Kansas State, Iowa, Miami and Dartmouth.
Half an hour later, UCF takes part in the Second 8+ Grand Final, racing No. 18 Alabama, No. 19 North Carolina, Miami, Michigan State and Dartmouth.
The final race of the day UCF will partake in is the First 8+ Grand Final, staring at 11:30 a.m. No. 19 North Carolina, Michigan State, Iowa, Miami and Dartmouth will be competing alongside the Knights.
The awards ceremony will take place shortly after, starting at 12:20 p.m.