ORLANDO – The No. 14 UCF rowing team is set to embark on its first road regatta as the Knights travel to Nathan Benderson Park for the Sarasota 2k.
The Black and Gold return to the familiar waters in Sarasota after sweeping both the Sarasota 2k last season and the Big 12 Championship at the same location.
UCF rolled through last year’s event with complete control, sweeping all five Grand Finals and every heat on the way to claiming the Benderson Cup. Every boat delivered a decisive win, beginning with early open‑water wins in the Second 4+ and Third 8+ to the First 4+ holding off a late push from then-No. 19 North Carolina.
The Second 8+ and First 8+ closed out last year’s event by beating every ranked crew including Alabama, UNC and Dartmouth.
The commanding performance from last season sets the tone for tomorrow’s return, only now UCF carries many expectations into the race, entering as the highest ranked program at No. 14. Other ranked opponents that will compete include Dartmouth who trails behind just one place at 15, Miami at No. 18 and UNC, rounding out the ranked competition at No. 20.
In addition to the ranked crews making the trip, the Knights will get a glimpse at this year’s Big 12 field as every team from the league will be competing at this week’s event. Including the conference competition, the Black and Gold will see future opponents in Miami and SMU who will be traveling to the City Beautiful to compete in the inaugural Orlando Invite later this season.
With all talent traveling to Nathan Benderson Park this week, this season’s Sarasota 2k is set to be the largest in the event’s history with 19 Division 1 programs traveling in.
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.