Buckingham, Lovejoy and Coach Allen Honored with Big 12 Postseason AwardsBuckingham, Lovejoy and Coach Allen Honored with Big 12 Postseason Awards

Buckingham, Lovejoy and Coach Allen Honored with Big 12 Postseason Awards

by Franki Noble

ORLANDO - To cap off a successful second season in the Big 12, three Knights have secured conference awards as announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon.

Awarded the conference’s top honor, junior Hannah Lovejoy has been named this year’s Big 12 Rower of the Year. The Marietta, Ohio native rowed within the top boat all season. Lovejoy rowed in the bow seat of the First 8+ at the Big 12 Championship as the crew recorded their fastest time of the whole season at 06:22.086, 16 seconds ahead of the next nearest boat. Lovejoy is the first rower in UCF history to receive the conference’s highest individual title.

Another member of the First 8+, Lucy Buckingham has received the title of Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. The Luton, England native has been a part of the top boat all season long, a crew that received back-to-back Boat of the Week titles this spring. Prior to action, Buckingham was one of ten rowers from the Big 12 selected to the For Stars Network Spring Athlete Watchlist. 

Head Coach Mara Allen has been named the Big 12 Coach of the Year in just her second season with the team. Allen has led the team to several first-place finishes at multiple regattas this spring. Under her supervision, the Knights are headed to the NCAA Championship for the first time since 2019. 

Each winner from this year’s UCF team is the first in program history to receive the honor in their respective category. 

Full list of Big 12 awards and honors: 

  • Rower of the Year - Hannah Lovejoy, UCF
  • Newcomer of the Year - Lucy Buckingham, UCF
  • Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year - Laura Teska, Kansas
  • Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year -Sydnee Blackburn, Old Dominion
  • Coach of the Year - Mara Allen, UCF