PENNSAUKEN, N.J. – Central Oklahoma earned an NCAA Division II national runner-up finish for the third time in seven years Saturday on Cooper River.
UCO finished national runners-up in the Varsity 4+ Grand Final before doing the same in the Varsity 8+ Grand Final.
The fours held the lead for almost 1,500 meters of the 2,000 meters. Cal Poly Humboldt was second for all of that time before making a surge in the final 500 to take the lead and pull away with the national title. UCO finished in 8:12.35, one second faster than it did in the heat racing on Friday.
The eights were in a similar position, holding firm with Humboldt and Seattle Pacific for the first half of the race. Humboldt edged out late and pulled away again. Central Oklahoma finished in 7:19.87.
UCO finished national runners-up in 2016 and 2017 before winning three straight national titles in 2018, 2019, and 2021. With Saturday's finish, the Bronchos have finished either first or second in 6 of the last 7 national championships.
Saturday's Results
Varsity 4+
1. Cal Poly Humboldt, 8:06
2. Central Oklahoma, 8:12
3. Western Washington, 8:20
4. Seattle Pacific, 8:23
Varsity 8+
1. Cal Poly Humboldt, 7:15
2. Central Oklahoma, 7:19
3. Seattle Pacific, 7:21
4. Embry-Riddle, 7:30
