CAMDEN, N.J. – Central Oklahoma is set for a big weekend of racing at the 2023 Knecht Cup Regatta this weekend.
UCO, which is ranked second in the nation in the latest Pocock College Rowing Coaches Association poll, will see a handful of opponents also in those rankings. Racing for the Bronchos begins Saturday at 12:16 p.m. (Eastern) with Central's 4+ boat taking on five Division II opponents in heat number three. UCO's eights will race in heat three at 2:08 p.m. The top four advance to the Grand Final Sunday morning. The Petite Final is also scheduled for that time. The fours will race at 10:02 (Petite) and 10:10 (Grand) and the eights will race at 11:38 (Petite) and 11:46 (Grand) on Sunday.
"We are looking forward to having our first in-region race against Seattle Pacific this weekend," first-year head rowing coach Jen Gilbert said. "Two west region teams traveling to the east coast for a spring race is unique, but no one on the team has been to the Knecht Cup Regatta before so everyone is super excited to be here.
"There are six Division II teams getting to race each other and that is fantastic for the sport," Gilbert added. "We are pumped to be able to race D'Youville, Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Pierce and Mercyhurst this weekend as well as SPU. We expect it to be tough, tight racing - but this is what it's all about. The young women from every team going out there and showing everyone what they can do. Most people don't realize that these DII teams are faster than many DI division programs - but this weekend is sure to show that from everyone that is here racing. We're honored to be a part of that and we are going to give it our best."
Mercyhurst is the defending national champion in Division II and will be making its season debut this weekend. Seattle Pacific is ranked fifth nationally and Thomas Jefferson is receiving votes, just outside the Top 8.
Central Oklahoma most recently went to Florida for the FIRA Championships and won first place in both the Varsity 8+ and 4+ races. The Bronchos will head west at the end of the month for the WIRA Championships in California and in May, the GNAC Championships in Oregon.
