UCF Rowing’s Historic Triumph at the 2025 Big 12 Championships

Eric
5 Min Read

A Dominant Performance on the Water

The UCF Knights rowing team didn’t just compete at the 2025 Big 12 Championships—they dominated. Sweeping all six races, the Knights claimed their first-ever Big 12 title, a milestone that underscored their meteoric rise under second-year head coach Mara Allen. The victory secured UCF’s first NCAA Championship berth since 2019, setting the stage for a showdown in West Windsor, New Jersey, from May 30 to June 1, 2025.

At the heart of this triumph was the Knights’ First Varsity Eight (1V8+), a crew that powered through the competition with a commanding 16-second victory in the title-clinching race. The boat’s success was no fluke—UCF’s 1V8+ earned Big 12 Boat of the Week honors twice during the season, a testament to their consistency and grit.

Hannah Lovejoy: The Heart of the Knights

Leading from the bow, senior Hannah Lovejoy was the linchpin of UCF’s championship run. Her relentless drive and technical prowess earned her the 2025 Big 12 Rower of the Year award, making her the first Knight to claim the conference’s top individual honor. Lovejoy’s contributions extended beyond the Big 12 Championship; she rowed in two crews that secured Boat of the Week honors and was recognized with UCF’s Charging Knight award, given to the team’s most impactful athlete. Her leadership and skill have set a new standard for UCF rowing.

Lucy Buckingham: A Star in the Making

Freshman Lucy Buckingham burst onto the scene with a performance that belied her inexperience. Having picked up rowing only in her senior year of high school, Buckingham earned a spot in the four seat of UCF’s championship-winning 1V8+. Her rapid rise culminated in the 2025 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award, a first for a UCF rower. Buckingham’s journey from novice to conference star is a story of raw talent and fearless determination, signaling a bright future for both her and the Knights.

Mara Allen: Architect of a Dynasty

In just her second season at the helm, head coach Mara Allen transformed UCF into a Big 12 powerhouse. Her leadership guided the Knights to a perfect sweep at the conference championships, a feat that earned her the 2025 Big 12 Coach of the Year award. Allen’s vision and strategic acumen not only delivered UCF’s first Big 12 title but also secured their return to the NCAA stage. Under her guidance, the Knights are no longer an underdog—they’re a force to be reckoned with.

Scholar-Athletes Making Waves

The Big 12 also celebrated academic excellence with Kansas’ Laura Teska and Old Dominion’s Sydnee Blackburn sharing the 2025 Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. Teska, a molecular, cellular, and developmental biology major with a 3.99 GPA, earned her second consecutive Scholar-Athlete award. A key member of Kansas’ 1V8+ that defeated K-State in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown, Teska continues to set the bar high for academic and athletic excellence.

Blackburn, a nursing major with a 3.9 GPA, made history as Old Dominion’s first Big 12 award winner. Rowing from the three seat in ODU’s varsity eight and serving as a team captain, she balanced her athletic commitments with hundreds of volunteer hours at a local hospital. As she prepares to begin her career in a pediatric neonatal ICU, Blackburn’s impact extends far beyond the water.

A Bright Future Awaits

UCF’s historic Big 12 Championship run is more than a single-season triumph—it’s a statement. With Lovejoy, Buckingham, and Allen leading the way, the Knights have established themselves as a program on the rise. As they prepare to compete at the NCAA Championships, the Knights carry not just the weight of their conference title but the promise of even greater achievements to come.

For Kansas and Old Dominion, the contributions of Teska and Blackburn highlight the Big 12’s commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes. As the rowing world turns its eyes to West Windsor, the 2025 season has already proven one thing: the Big 12 is home to some of the nation’s finest rowers, scholars, and coaches.

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