Let's dive into the latest on the collegiate rowing scene. The reigning national champions, the Texas Longhorns, have just wrapped up a crucial weekend scrimmage down in sunny Orlando.
That's right, the Longhorns, fresh off their 2024 NCAA title, took to Lake Pickett to test their mettle against the UCF Knights. Texas head coach, Dave O'Neill, speaking after the two-day event, described it as "terrific" and a "definite step forward" for his squad. He emphasized the importance of this first side-by-side competition for many of his athletes, noting they "responded very well." O'Neill also gave a nod to the Knights, predicting a "good spring" for UCF.
Now, let's break down the action: Texas brought three eights to the scrimmage, with lineups shifting between Friday and Saturday. Friday's session consisted of a grueling 3x2000 meter race, while Saturday featured a 4x1000 meter series. Crews experimented with varying stroke rates, maximizing both competition and productivity.
And it wasn't smooth sailing on the water. Windy conditions added an extra layer of difficulty, testing the skills of both the rowers and coxswains. But it wasn't all work and no play for the Longhorns. Following Friday's workout, the team headed to Walt Disney World for some well-deserved team bonding. O'Neill highlighted the importance of these experiences, balancing the rigors of training with moments of shared joy.
A noteworthy subplot here: UCF's head coach, Mara Allen, is a familiar face to the Longhorns. Allen spent eight successful seasons as an assistant and associate head coach at Texas, contributing to their back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022. It's always interesting to see former colleagues facing off on opposing sides.
Looking ahead, Texas is gearing up for a "rust buster" in Dallas, a two-day dual against SMU and Oklahoma on March 8th and 9th at White Rock Lake. This marks the fourth consecutive year the Longhorns will scrimmage at SMU. And for those keeping score, the Mustangs finished 21st at last year's NCAA championships.
Then, the Longhorns will officially kick off their regular season at the prestigious San Diego Crew Classic on March 29th and 30th. This event, held in Mission Bay Park, is widely regarded as America's premier spring regatta.
So, Longhorn fans, stay tuned. We'll be keeping a close eye on Texas as they attempt to defend their national title.
