Central Opens Nationals In Dominant Fashion

INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Central Oklahoma made a statement on the first day of racing at the NCAA National Championships Friday evening.

SEE COMPLETE RESULTS HERE

After a long day of delays due to weather the night before, Central showed no signs of wearing down. The Bronchos came out firing and jumped out to an early lead in the Varsity 8+ before building and building and building on that lead throughout the 2,000-meter race at Eagle Creek Park.

The Broncho eights, led by coxswain Madisyn Kitchell, dominated Seattle Pacific and Jefferson University in winning by 11 seconds. UCO's V8 boat advances to Sunday's Grand Final with the win.

In V4+ racing, the story wasn't much different. Led by coxswain Blair Johnson, UCO again jumped out to an early lead, and though the race was much closer in the middle 1,000 meters, the Bronchos blew it open down the stretch and cruised to their second win in as many races to open the national championships.

WATCH SUNDAY'S FINALS HERE

UCO, the top-ranked team in the country and the defending national champions, earned a day off thanks to a pair of wins Friday. Four of the six boats that competed and did not win Friday will race again Saturday to whittle down the group to four boats. The Bronchos will race again in the Grand Finals Sunday as they aim to earn enough points from both boats to claim another title.

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Players Mentioned

Blair Johnson: 5' 1"; Junior; Varsity

Madisyn Kitchell: 5' 6"; Junior; Varsity

Players Mentioned

Blair Johnson
: 5' 1"; Junior; Varsity

Madisyn Kitchell
: 5' 6"; Junior; Varsity