BETHEL, Ohio – Central Oklahoma got the 2024 NCAA Division II Rowing Championships started Friday morning with Heat racing in both the Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ boats. The Bronchos will race again Friday afternoon following the morning results.
Central's eights were up first and the Bronchos finished third in the Varsity 8+ Heat 2 race behind fellow GNAC rival, Cal Poly Humboldt and Embry-Riddle (Florida).
UCO was second through the first 500 meters of the race before slipping to third by the halfway point. Embry-Riddle jumped out to the lead and held it for 1,500 meters of the 2,000-meter race, but it was Humboldt that took over in the final 500 and won the race to advance to Saturday's Grand Final.
Humboldt won with a time of 7:15.85 while ERAU finished in 7:16.36 before UCO's 7:31.11 time.
In the fours, it was Seattle Pacific in front the entire 2,000 meters. UCO was two seconds back after 500 meters, but just 0.17 seconds behind at the halfway point. SPU grew its lead down the stretch to win the race and advance to the Grand Final.
Seattle Pacific won in 8:19.88 while UCO was second in 8:26.63. Embry-Riddle finished third in 8:44.42.
Repechage racing begins Friday afternoon. The top two teams advance to the Grand Final Saturday, while the third- and fourth-place finishers move to the Petite Final.
Varsity 8+ Repechage
4:12 p.m. Eastern
Mercyhurst (7:16.01)
Embry-Riddle (7:16.36)
Central Oklahoma (7:31.11)
Seattle Pacific (7:32.14)
Varsity 4+ Repechage
4:24 p.m. Eastern
Central Oklahoma (8:26.63)
Embry-Riddle (8:44.42)
Western Washington (8:45.22)
Mercyhurst (9:02.26)
