INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA announced Monday the University of Central Oklahoma will be the top seed in the 2021 NCAA Division II National Championships, scheduled for May 28-30 in Sarasota, Fla.
Embry-Riddle, Florida Tech and Mercyhurst were also selected to compete against the Bronchos at nationals.
Central Oklahoma has been the No. 1 ranked team in the country all season. The Bronchos, winners of the 2018 and 2019 national team titles, are coming off a win in the inaugural GNAC Championship, earning UCO its first-ever conference title in rowing.
Central's Varsity 8+ boat, which has won three consecutive national titles (2017, 2018, 2019), has put together another strong squad in 2021. The Bronchos won its first three races of the season before finishing third in a DI heavy field in Austin, Texas. The Bronchos have won five of six races all season, including last week's 21-second victory in the GNAC Championship.
UCO's V4+ boat has been strong too. The 2019 national champs won once in Seattle in March and again in Washington at the GNAC Championships this past weekend. The fours have also finished second in two races, third in another, and fourth once.
The 2021 NCAA Division II National Championships will be held at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Fla. later this month. Prelim racing is scheduled for Friday, May 28 with two repechage races scheduled for Saturday, May 29. The national finals are slated for Sunday, May 30 at 9:24 a.m. (V4+) and 9:48 a.m. (V8+) eastern standard time.
