Women's Rowing 5/21/2025 9:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Headed Back To Rowing National Championships

Central Oklahoma Qualifies For 13th Consecutive Appearance At Nationals

INDIANAPOLIS – Central Oklahoma was one of six teams selected for the 2025 NCAA Division II Rowing National Championships later this month in West Windsor, New Jersey.

UCO will compete Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 for a national title in the Varsity 4+ and Varsity 8+ boats, with six teams competing for the team crown as well.

"We are so grateful for the opportunity to compete for a national championship," UCO interim head rowing coach Jimmy Francis said. "If you can get there, you have a chance and that's all we can ask for. We're ready to get back to training and preparation and we're looking forward to racing for a national championship in two weeks."

This season marks the 13th consecutive trip to nationals for the UCO rowing program. The Bronchos went three straight years with only its V8+ boat qualifying (2012-14) and has gone as a team in each of the previous 10 national championships.

Central Oklahoma won national titles in 2018, 2019, and 2021, and has finished national runner-up in 2016, 2017, and 2023. The Bronchos finished third last spring.

Francis has led UCO through a tough schedule, racing each of the five other national qualifiers previously this season, including the formidable GNAC programs. Of the six teams that qualified for nationals, four are from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and all six are ranked in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association top seven.

No. 1 Cal Poly Humboldt, No. 2 Western Washington, No. 4 Seattle Pacific, and No. 4 UCO represent the GNAC schools. No. 3 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) and No. 7 Thomas Jefferson (Pa.) are also among the qualifiers.

Last week at the GNAC Championships, Humboldt took the team title with one more point than Western Washington. UCO was third, one point in front of Seattle Pacific.

Central Oklahoma raced against its GNAC counterparts in March in Seattle, in April in Oklahoma City, and again last week in Sacramento. The Bronchos also raced against Embry-Riddle and Thomas Jefferson in OKC last month.

All six teams will race Friday, May 30 in two prelims. The winner of each heat will advance to Saturday's Grand Final, while the other four boats reconvene Friday evening for repechage racing. Four boats compete in Saturday's Grand Final and two others will compete for fifth/sixth in Saturday's Petite Final.

UCO's eights have won national titles in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. The UCO fours have won titles in 2019 and 2021.

Print Friendly Version