Washington Men, UCF Women Win Benderson Cups at Sarasota 2K

The Sarasota 2K regatta drew universities from around Florida and across the country to Nathan Benderson Park for an early-season hybrid regatta that served as cup races for traditional are re-established rivalries as well as six-lane championship-style racing.

The University of Washington won the men’s Benderson Cup for third straight year after tying Harvard on points but winning the varsity eight final. Harvard was second and Brown finished third.

“We always find it valuable to test our speed this early in the season,” said Washington men’s head coach Michael Callahan. “The competition was excellent and exactly what we were looking for.

On the women’s side, UCF swept the women’s events in winning the Benderson Cup for a second year and logging another sweep at Nathan Benderson Park, having won every event of the 2025 Big 12 Championship at NBP.

“Very impressed with how this team handled a very competitive weekend,” said UCF coach Mara Allen. “The second eight did a great job against a very tough Miami crew.”

UCF entered the weekend ranked 12th in the Pocock CRCA Coaches Poll. #18 Miami finished second in points for the Benderson Cup, with #15 Dartmouth third. The regatta results reshuffled the Pocock CRCA Coaches Poll and Division I programs made the trip from far and wide to get early-season water time and valuable competition against non-conference programs they wouldn’t otherwise get to race.

“The competition is rising at this race and we’re glad to be in the thick of it,” said Louisville head coach Derek Copeland.

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