Categories: College University Athletics

UCF University Rowing Team Honored as Big 12 Boat of the Week

The UCF rowing team demonstrating their strength and teamwork during the race.

News Summary

UCF rowing’s I Four has been awarded the Big 12 Boat of the Week after a dominating win at the Longhorn Invitational. With an 18-second lead over competitors, this accolade is the third for UCF this season. The I Four’s success helps maintain UCF’s No. 15 national ranking as they prepare for their upcoming races, including a senior day ceremony. The program’s new schedule includes a variety of competitive events leading up to the Big 12 Championships.

Orlando, FL – UCF rowing’s I Four has been recognized as the Big 12 Boat of the Week after a commanding performance at the Longhorn Invitational held last weekend. This accolade marks the third occasion this season that a crew from UCF has received this honor.

The I Four secured its title by achieving an impressive victory, finishing with an 18-second lead over their competitors, which is the largest margin of victory for the Knights during the event. The crew crossed the finish line with a time of 08:07.524, defeating both then No. 22 Oklahoma and SMU.

This achievement makes the I Four the fourth UCF crew to achieve this recognition, and notably, it is the first crew of four to do so. The crew consisted of junior coxswain Sophia Tursi, junior Cate Maloney, freshmen Sofia Palacios and Kesha Bruinette, and sophomore Amber Tulloch.

In addition to the I Four’s recent success, the UCF I Eight had also been awarded the Big 12 Boat of the Week title for two consecutive weeks earlier this season. Both crews highlight the strong performance of the UCF rowing program this year.

UCF has maintained its position at No. 15 in the Pocock CRCA Poll for the fourth consecutive week, underscoring the program’s consistency and competitiveness within the rowing community. Notably, UCF remains the only Big 12 program represented in the national rankings.

The Knights will continue their competitive season with their next race scheduled for Sunday, May 4, against Miami at 2:00 p.m. Following the race, a Senior Day ceremony will take place, celebrating the team’s graduating members.

Looking ahead, UCF rowing has unveiled its 2024-25 schedule, which features a variety of regattas against some of the nation’s strongest teams. The program plans to compete in four scrimmages, three invitationals, and one dual leading up to the Big 12 Championships slated for May 18.

The fall scrimmage season will commence with a matchup against Miami on October 26, followed by preseason contests against Iowa and Texas in February. UCF will host a scrimmage against Jacksonville on March 14, marking the official start of their competitive season.

The Knights are set to participate in the Sunshine State Invite on March 28-29 and will travel to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the Rocky Top Invitational on April 4-5. Additionally, the upcoming Longhorn Invitational will be hosted by UCF on April 25-26.

The regular season will conclude with a final matchup against Miami on May 4, followed by the newly formatted Big 12 Championship on May 18. The NCAA Championships are set for May 30-June 1 at Lake Mercer in Princeton, N.J., providing an opportunity for UCF to compete at a national level.

UCF rowing continues to demonstrate its strength and commitment to excellence, moving forward confidently into the remainder of the season and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead.