ORLANDO – The UCF rowing program, tabbed eleventh for the second straight week in the latest CRCA Poll, has secured its fourth Big 12 Boat of the Week honor of the season, this time awarded to the Second 8+ following its performance at the inaugural Orlando Invite.
This recognition ties the Big 12 single‑season record for most Boat of the Week awards by one program, a mark previously reached by two schools in the 2022 season. The only week where the Knights have not received the conference honor comes from a week slate without competition from the Black and Gold.
It is the first conference honor of the season for the Second 8+, joining the First 8+, a two‑time recipient, and the First 4+, which has also claimed one award. The Second 8+ last earned the distinction on April 3, 2024.
The accolade comes on the heels of two victories on home water at the Orlando Invite. The crew advanced out of heats with a 2.1‑second margin over then‑No. 15 Miami and a 5.8‑second margin over then‑No. 19 Penn on Friday. They followed it up with a gritty, bow‑to‑bow battle during the Grand Final on Saturday, surging in the final meters to edge then‑No. 13 Alabama by 0.6 seconds.
The winning crew of nine featured coxswain Sophia Tursi, along with rowers Sofia Scott, Maja Misljenovic, Bella Montalvo, Maci Brede, Coralie Detre, Lexi Sanchez, Olivia Werner and Lujza Kovacs
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The Knights have a week break before heading to New Jersey to face off against two ranked program of No. 6 Princeton and No. 21 Penn on May 2.
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.