Women's Rowing 5/31/2025 7:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

Fours Finish Runner-Up; Lead UCO At Nationals

Central Oklahoma Finishes Fifth At National Championships

WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – Central Oklahoma's Varsity 4+ boat raced to a national runner-up finish at the NCAA Division II Rowing National Championships that wrapped up Saturday on Lake Mercer. UCO's second-place finish helped the Bronchos to a fifth-place team finish. Central finished sixth in the Varsity 8+ championships.

UCO's eights rowed first early Saturday morning, working in a race around blustery weather conditions that forced delays to the Varsity 4+ finals. The Bronchos raced Thomas Jefferson of Philadelphia in the Varsity 8+ Petite Final and finished the 2,000-meter course in 7:09, second in the event and sixth in the national championships. That earned Central three team points.

Following an extended delay, UCO's fours got on the water later Saturday evening. The Bronchos had the fastest time (7:41) of the day Friday in two heat races and one repechage. UCO would have the second fastest time on Saturday. The Bronchos rowed a 7:38.04, six seconds back of Humboldt and nearly four seconds in front of Embry Riddle.

"I'm really proud of everyone for this week and the entire season," UCO interim head rowing coach Jimmy Francis said. "While we wanted to perform better, this was still a great experience for everyone. So much of our team is younger and they've gained invaluable experience. For our seniors, just want to say how proud I am of everything they have done for this team and this program."

UCO's Varsity 4+ boat raced to the fastest time of the day Friday to earn an automatic spot in Saturday's national championship race. The Bronchos made it 10 consecutive appearances in the Grand Final for the V4+ this season, with UCO earning third place four times, second place four times, and first twice.

Central's Varsity 8+ boat had the fifth-best time Friday during heat racing, then improved by nine seconds before Friday's repechage race, but still finished third there to go to the Petite Final. UCO finished second to SPU and sixth overall. UCO has been to the national championship in 13 consecutive seasons with its V8+ boat and has finished sixth twice, fifth three times, fourth once, third once, runner-up twice and national champs four times.

Central's fifth-place team finish is the fourth time the Bronchos have done so in the last 13 national championships. UCO has finished first three times, second three times, third once, fourth once, fifth four times, and sixth once.

Friday's Results
Preliminary Races
Varsity 8+ Heat 1
1. Western Washington, 6:58.54; 2. Seattle Pacific, 7:08.64; 3. Central Oklahoma, 7:21.00
Varsity 8+ Heat 2
1. Cal Poly Humboldt, 6:59.24; 2. Embry-Riddle, 7:00.41; 3. Thomas Jefferson, 7:24.46
Varsity 8+ Repechage
1. Embry Riddle, 7:02.73; 2. Seattle Pacific, 7:04.43; 3. Central Oklahoma, 7:12.04; 4. Thomas Jefferson, 7:15.51
Varsity 4+ Heat 1
1. Cal Poly Humboldt, 7:43.21; 2. Western Washington, 7:54.90; 3. Seattle Pacific, 8:02.34
Varsity 4+ Heat 2
1. Central Oklahoma, 7:41.36; 2. Embry Riddle, 7:45.75; 3. Thomas Jefferson, 8:13.67
Varsity 4+ Repechage
1. Embry Riddle, 7:49.42; 2. Western Washington, 7:50.27; 3. Seattle Pacific, 7:57.29l; 4. Thoams Jefferson, 8:16.10
Saturday's Results
(Team points in parentheses)
Varsity 8+ Grand Final
1. Embry Riddle, 6:47.17 (18 points); 2. Western Washington, 6:47.96 (15); 3. Cal Poly Humboldt, 6:50.07 (12); 4. Seattle Pacific, 7:13.41 (9)
Varsity 8+ Petite Final
5. Thomas Jefferson, 7:08.37 (6); 6. Central Oklahoma, 7:09.69 (3)
Varsity 4+ Grand Final
1. Cal Poly Humboldt, 7:32.42; 2. Central Oklahoma, 7:38.04; 3. Embry-Riddle, 7:41.98; Western Washington, 7:45.57
Varsity 4+ Petite Final
5. Seattle Pacific, 7:53.97; 6. Thomas Jefferson, 8:01.63
Final Team Standings
1. Embry Riddle (26 Points)
2. Cal Poly Humboldt (24)
3. Western Washington (21)
4. Seattle Pacific (13)
5. Central Oklahoma (13)
6. Thomas Jefferson (8)

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