PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference announced its annual women’s rowing honor on Tuesday, which was voted on by the league's seven head coaches.
UCF's second varsity eight, which is comprised of eight underclassmen and one senior, has been named the Boat of the Year after winning by nearly eight seconds at the American Athletic Conference Championship, which was held on Saturday, May 14 in Gold River, Calif. The crew crossed the finish line in 6:50.3, followed by second-place Sacramento State at 6:58.2. The second varsity eight helped the Knights win their second-consecutive conference title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Championship, which will be held from May 27-29 at Lake Natoma.
The Knights’ end-of-the-year second varsity eight lineup raced together three times this season, with the first time at Miami (Fla.) on April 23. In all three races the crew posted sub-6:51 times, which had not been done by the UCF second varsity eight this year prior to the lineup change.
The Boat of the Year honor adds to UCF’s list of 2016 rowing accolades. The Knights' coaching staff was named The American Coaching Staff of the Year for the second-straight season, after winning back-to-back conference championships. Four UCF rowers received all-conference first team recognition, including second varsity eight member, junior Rachael Klunder. Three more Knights were named to the all-conference second team to total a league-best seven all-conference selections.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE BOAT OF THE YEAR
UCF Second Varsity Eight
C - Catherine Harms, So.
S - Edvina Nesukaityte, Fr.
7 - Jasmine Blais, Jr.
6 - Rachael Klunder, Jr.
5 - Sarah Gordon, Fr.
4 - Dani Burton, So.,
3 - Lauren Wasko, Sr.
2 - Dani Taylor, Jr.
B - Julia Chase, Jr.
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