COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Knights opened up competition at the Ohio State Invite in style, earning four first-place finishes at Griggs Reservoir on Friday evening.
The race marks the fourth consecutive event where the Black and Gold swept all races in the day. The Knights have yet to drop a first-place finish in the regular season since competing at the Longhorn Invite in April 2025.
The Knights competed against the Indiana Hoosiers and ranked competitors in the No. 19 North Carolina Tar Heels in each race on the day.
The first race to be completed was the Second 4+ consisting of coxswain Eliza Shaffer alongside Claire Kaminski at the stroke seat followed by Tea Zivkovic, Julia Schultz and Vilma Kangasmaki. The crew of five were in a neck and neck battle for a majority of the race before making the push in the end finishing with the largest margin of victory on the day. The Knights crossed the line at 07:34.4, with North Carolina following at 07:43.1 and Indiana at 08:00.4.
The next to head down the reservoir was the First 4+ which held Vianna Smith in the coxswain seat with Natasjia Voulanas, Kesha Bruinette, Sophia Keller and Amber Tulloch. The Knights claimed their second win of the day, finishing at 07:41.3, pulling ahead of the Tar Heels in harsh conditions by just 1.8 seconds.
Next up was the first boat of nine to hit the water in the Second 8+. The crew was compiled of coxswain Sophia Tursi, as well as Sofia Scott, Maja Misljenovic, Bella Montalvo, Maci Brede, Luna Kuiper, Lexi Sanchez, Olivia Werner and Lujza Kovacs in the bow seat. The boat 06:39.9, 6.9 seconds ahead of the next nearest boat in North Carolina.
The final boat to race was with the First 8+ coxed by Audrey Vilendrer along with Sofia Naboni Nevado, Ines Martin, Coralie Detre, Lucy Buckingham, Madison Lovejoy, Brigitte Kappler, Amalie Thorsen and Hannah Lovejoy. The boat sealed the sweep for the Knights, clocking in at 06:35.5.
The Knights will hit the water one more time in Ohio, racing in the opposite order as the day prior. The First 8+ will start the day at 8:30 a.m. followed by the Second 8+ at 8:46 a.m. The fours races will begin with the First 4+ at 9:02 a.m. with the Second 4+ following at 9:18 a.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.