AUSTIN, Texas - The UCF rowing team wrapped up a strong day of racing at Decker Lake for the Longhorn Invitational on Saturday morning.
The Knights were slated to compete in heat races on Friday afternoon, however, the II Four was the only boat that could race as the rest of the day was canceled due to lightning in the area.
The sole UCF boat to participate in heats, the II Four faced No. 2 Stanford and No. 22 Oklahoma. The crew consisting of freshman coxswain Vianna Smith, freshman Morgan Northey, sophomore Lexi Sanchez, senior Meagan Lukavec and sophomore Vilma Kangasmäki placed second with a time of 07:43.283 following the Cardinal’s 7:30.689 and ahead of the Sooners’ 07:53.299.
With their time the previous day, the II Four crew advanced to the A Finals to face the two top crews in the nation, No. 1 Texas and, once again, No. 2 Stanford for the first race of the day. The boat could not follow its momentum from the day before, placing third at 08:02.412 behind the Cardinal (7:39.100) and the Longhorns (07:31.774).
The next boat to race was the I Four coxed by junior Sophia Tursi alongside junior Cate Maloney, freshman Sofia Palacios, freshman Kesha Bruinette and sophomore Amber Tulloch. The crew was the first Knights boat to finish first on the day. The boat crossed the finish at 07:49.054 followed by No. 22 Oklahoma at 08:07.524 and SMU at 08:09.188.
The II Eight was the next to compete, compiled of senior coxswain Julia Going as well as freshman Sofia Scott, senior Bella Montalvo, senior Claire Kaminski, sophomore Maja Misljenovic, junior Veronica Rush, junior Natasjia Voulanas, sophomore Ines Martin and junior Amalie Thorsen. The crew was the second UCF boat to claim first place, slotting in with a time of 07:03.922. The Black and Gold were followed by the Mustangs with a time of 07:07.584 and the Sooners at 07:12.568.
The final boat to complete was the I Eight who secured the Knights’ third consecutive first-place finish. The crew consisting of junior coxswain Audrey Vilendrer, freshman Sofia Naboni Nevado, fifth year Madlen Markova, sophomore Brigitte Kappler, sophomore Reese Springer, freshman Lucy Buckingham, fifth year Elisa Faiola, freshman Luna Kuiper and junior Hannah Lovejoy claimed first place in open water with a time of 06:51.643. The I Eight completed the race ahead of No. 22 Oklahoma (07:00.143) and SMU (07:12.125).
The Black and Gold will return home to Lake Pickett on May 4 to take on Miami in a Senior Day dual beginning at 2:00 p.m.