OKLAHOMA CITY – No. 3 Central Oklahoma opened the 2024 season Saturday morning with races against Creighton and Tulsa and the Bronchos split six races against the Division I competition.
Central beat Creighton in the Varsity 8+, Varsity 4+, and a 2V8+ race, while coming in second against Tulsa in the same three events.
"I am happy with how our first round of racing went," UCO head rowing coach Jen Gilbert said. "It is very tight within house for seats across all boats so we will continue to review our performances, and fine tune where we can to squeeze more speed before we head to Seattle later this month to see the No. 1 and No. 3 programs from the 2023 NCAAs, Humboldt State and Seattle Pacific. We know the GNAC will be very tough this year so the early season Falcon Regatta will provide us with valuable information in preparation for May."
Cross-tail wind for first races turned to cross-head for the last one. Tricky conditions meant a quick start by the umpires to get crews going with the wind pushing boats around. UCO was up on Tulsa early but then Tulsa moved in second quarter to lead through 1,000 meters. UCO had open water on Creighton before a strong third 500 by CU closed the gap, but UCO kicked away again in final stages.
Tulsa jumped from the blocks in the 2V8 and never looked back, moving away at all stages from both Creighton and UCO. The Bronchos sat level with Creighton for the first 500 before edging away seat-by-seat from CU to secure second.
In V4+ Tulsa got a small lead on UCO with Creighton clearly in third. UCO clawed back through third 500 but Tulsa had done enough to hold on for the win. Creighton and Tulsa also competed in a 2V4+ race Saturday morning.
Central Oklahoma returns to the water in two weeks when the Bronchos head to the Pacific Northwest. UCO is competing in Seattle Pacific's annual Falcon Regatta in the L.W. Ship Canal in Seattle, Washington.
Saturday's Results
V8+
1. Tulsa, 7:06.6
2. UCO, 7:16.5
V8+
1. UCO, 7:16.5
2. Creighton, 7:19.6
2V8+
1. Tulsa, 7:22.6
2. UCO, 8:09.6
2V8+
1. UCO, 8:09.6
2. Creighton, 8:11.8
V4+
1. Tulsa, 8:10.7
2. UCO, 8:15.4
V4+
1. UCO, 8:15.4
2. Creighton, 8:33.0
