UCF’s 2V8+ won a dramatic final to be named Big 12 Boat of the Week, helping UCF win its home event, the Orlando Invite, over five ranked teams.
In Friday’s heat, the boat coxswained by senior Sophia Tursi beat out No. 15 Miami (Fla.) by over two seconds to capture the heat. The No. 11 Knights went bow-to-bow with No. 13 Alabama in the final, making a push in the final ten meters to defeat the Crimson Tide crew by a half-second. The crew of Sofia Scott, Maja Misljenovic, Bella Montalvo, Maci Brede, Coralie Detre, Lexi Sanchez, Olivia Werner and Lujza Kovács posted times of 6:25.0 in the heat and 6:38.2 in the final.
It is the fourth Boat of the Week honor for the defending Big 12 Champions this season, whose No. 11 national ranking represents a high-water mark for the program. This is the first honor for the Knights’ second varsity eight+ this season. Four weekly honors matches the Conference record for one school, last set by two programs in 2022.
UCF 2V8+
- Sophia Tursi (cox.), McLean, Va., Senior
- Sofia Scott, Melbourne, Australia, Sophomore
- Maja Misljenovic, Belgrade, Serbia, Junior
- Bella Montalvo, King of Prussia, Pa., 5th Year
- Maci Brede, Lenoir City, Tennessee, Freshman
- Coralie Detre, Dampmart, France, RS Sophomore
- Lexi Sanchez, Tampa, Fla., Junior
- Olivia Werner, Greenwood, Indiana, Freshman
- Lujza Kovács, Budapest, Hungary, Freshman
Big 12 Boat of the Week
March 18: UCF 1V8+
April 1: UCF 1V4+
April 8: UCF 1V8+
April 15: Kansas 1V8+
April 22: UCF 2V8+