Season Preview: No. 15 Rowing Set for Spring Racing Slate

ORLANDO – The No. 15 UCF rowing team heads into their third year in the Mara Allen era with confidence, momentum and a stellar roster, ready to continue to deliver proven high-caliber results.

LAST SEASON AT A GLANCE

The Knights’ second year in the Big 12 quickly became one of the most historic seasons in program history. The Knights broke into the CRCA Poll as a team for the first time, climbing from No. 25 to a peak of No. 14 and spending a record 12 straight weeks ranked. Their rise was backed by strong performances against top‑20 opponents, including sweeping Alabama and North Carolina at the Sarasota 2k and defeating then higher‑ranked Duke at the Rocky Top Invitational.

The Knights’ momentum carried into conference recognition, earning three Big 12 Boat of the Week honors. Two of the three went to the First 8+, while one was for the First 4+. Their dominance culminated in a clean sweep at the Big 12 Championship, securing the program’s first conference title from that league. Six rowers earned All‑Big 12 honors, while Hannah Lovejoy was named Rower of the Year, Lucy Buckingham earned Newcomer of the Year and Head Coach Mara Allen was recognized as Coach of the Year.

UCF capped the season with its best-ever performance at the NCAA Championship. All three boats advanced to the C Finals for the first time in program history, highlighted by a program‑best 13th‑place finish from the First 4+. With a 15th‑place team result, the Knights achieved their preseason goal of becoming a top‑15 program, solidifying a transformative, record‑setting year for the Black and Gold.

 

 

 

 

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

Madison Lovejoy | Freshman | Marietta, Ohio

The younger Lovejoy joins the Knights after serving as team captain of the Harvard Rowing Club, highlighted by a third-place finish at the 2023 Stotesbury Cup. The Lovejoy’s are no stranger to rowing as she joins her sister Hannah, who is entering her senior year with the Knights.  

Tea Zivkovic | Freshman | Belgrade, Serbia

Tea Zivkovic brings an elite international experience and coveted versatility as a rower. After rowing with the Serbian National Team under head coach Goran Todorović, Zivkovic brings the competitive edge she has gained from competing overseas to the Knights’ roster.

Julia Schultz | Sophomore | Baldwinsville, N.Y.

Sophomore Julia Schultz enters the year as the lone transfer to join the Black and Gold with her first year of collegiate rowing completed at Mercyhurst University. While competing for Mercyhurst, she raced in the Grand Finals at both the Dad Vail Regatta and the Knecht Cup in the First 4+. She also earned a gold medal in the First 4+ and a bronze in the First 8+ at the Head of the Ohio Regatta, showcasing her consistency and competitiveness across multiple boats.

RETURNING TALENT

Hannah Lovejoy | Senior | Marietta, Ohio

Senior Hannah Lovejoy returns as one of the most decorated rowers in the program, having earned Big 12 Rower of the Year as well as named an All-American Honorable Mention. During her time as a Knight, Lovejoy has consistently competed in top boats, most recently a member of the First 8+ for both the Big 12 and NCAA Championships.  

Lucy Buckingham | Sophomore | Luton, England

England native Lucy Buckingham, named 2025 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, carries serious momentum into her second year with the Knights. The 6-2 sophomore made an immediate impact as a freshman, contributing to UCF’s first Big 12 Rowing title as part of the First 8+ at the Big 12 Championship while posting an impressive mark of seven first-place finishes across eight regular season races.

Amalie Thorsen | Senior | Humlebaek, Denmark

Danish senior Amalie Thorsen enters her senior year as a Knight with elite recent international experience, having competed at the 2025 World Rowing Championship, finishing fifth in Women's Four. Thorsen also aided in a 14th place finish at the NCAA Championships as a member of the Second 8+, following a first-place finish at the Big 12 Championship.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Black and Gold will begin their season the same way last year’s started with a dual against the Jacksonville Dolphins. There will be a total of five events at this year’s season opener with the first race slated to begin at approximately 3:40 p.m.

ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.