SARASOTA, Fla. – Seven schools will compete for the American Athletic Conference Women’s Rowing Championship on Saturday morning at Nathan Benderson Park. The regatta will feature six grand finals, beginning at 11 a.m. ET with coverage on the American Digital Network.
Competing at the world-class Nathan Benderson Park will be UCF, UConn, Sacramento State, San Diego State, SMU, Temple and Tulsa.
UCF enters the championship as the two-time defending champion, having captured titles in both 2015 and 2016. The Knights are the top-seeded team in two races – the varsity eight and second varsity eight – heading into the championship.
The Black and Gold return to Nathan Benderson Park for the second time this season. The Knights competed at the Sunshine State Invitational March 31-April 1. UCF's Varsity Eight picked up a pair of wins, leading the squad to The American Boat of the Week honors on April 4.
Likewise, Tulsa is the top seed in two races – the varsity four and second varsity four. The varsity four garnered Boat of the Week honors in the American Athletic Conference earlier this spring with a Silver medal at the Knecht Cup.
Due to poor race conditions due to flooding and weather, Tulsa has not raced competitively for more than a month, since racing at the Knecht Cup on April 9. It will be the second time this season that the Hurricane women has raced at Benderson Park, where Tulsa turned in a solid performance at the Sunshine State Invitational.
Temple owns the top seed in the third varsity eight. Last year, the Owls placed a program-best third overall at the championships, grabbing gold medals in both the third varsity four and third varsity eight races and taking their first event varsity eight medal (bronze).
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 13
11:00 a.m. Third Varsity Four - Final
11:10 a.m. Second Varsity Four - Final
11:20 a.m. Third Varsity Eight - Final
11:30 a.m. Varsity Four - Final
11:40 a.m. Second Varsity Eight - Final
11:50 a.m. Varsity Eight - Final
12:45 p.m. Awards Ceremony
Fans can watch the racing action live on the
American Digital Network, or follow along on Twitter at
@American_Rowing.