UCF’s 1V8+ was tabbed as Big 12 Boat of the Week, completing a five-race sweep for the Knights at the Sarasota 2K at Nathan Benderson Park.
Coxswained by Audrey Vilendrer, the varsity eight finished with a time of 6:27.05, ahead of North Carolina, Michigan State, Iowa and Miami at the Sarasota 2K. The crew of Sofia Naboni Nevado, Madlen Markova, Bella Montalvo, Brigitte Kappler, Elisa Faiola, Lucy Buckingham, Natasjia Voulanas and Hannah Lovejoy won their heat in 6:37.31 to advance to the grand final.
The Knights captured the Nathan Benderson Cup for their overall performance in a field that featured six Big 12 schools. This is the second UCF boat to be honored with a weekly award, after the Knights’ 2V8 was selected on April 3, 2024.
UCF 1V8+
- Audrey Vilendrer, Junior, Coxswain, Inverness, Fla.
- Sofia Naboni Nevado, Freshman, Port/Starboard, Almeria, Spain
- Madlen Markova, Fifth Year, Port, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Bella Montalvo, Senior, Port/Starboard, King of Prussia, Pa.
- Brigitte Kappler, Sophomore, Port/Starboard, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Elisa Faiola, Fifth Year, Starboard, Auburn, N.Y.
- Lucy Buckingham, Freshman, Port, Luton, England
- Natasjia Voulanas, Junior, Port/Starboard, Melbourne, Australia
- Hannah Lovejoy, Junior, Port/Starboard, Marietta, Ohio
Big 12 Boat of the Week
March 19: K-State 1V4+
April 2: UCF 1V8+