April 13, 2005
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - For the first time in the 10-year history of the program, the UCF women's rowing team was ranked in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I South Region Poll that was released on Tuesday.
The Golden Knights, who are coming off strong performances at the San Diego Crew Classic and the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association (FIRA) Championships, were listed in fifth in the team rankings.
Individual boats were also ranked. The Varsity Eight, which features Caitlin Pauls, Kyla Smith, Tanya Kleisler, Melissa Westhoff, Amy Price, Krystina Sarff, Katherine Motes, Mary Rosser and coxswain Lisa Beltran, was in a tie for fifth with Texas. The Junior Varsity Eight landed in sixth, while the Varsity Four tied for sixth with Clemson.
"This is a huge step for the program," said UCF head coach Leeanne Crain, who is in her second year at the helm. "It's great to be recognized at this point in the season as one of the faster teams in the South."
The poll, which was determined by the NCAA Division I Women's Rowing Committee, was the first of three to be released this season.
Last year, the Varsity Four was ranked as high as fourth in the NCAA South Region Poll. The team as a whole was not ranked.
The Golden Knights will travel to the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships this weekend, where they will go head-to-head against other ranked teams such as Louisville.
NCAA Division I South Region Polls
(using results as of April 10)
Teams
1. Virginia
2. Clemson
3. Tennessee
4. Texas
5. UCF
6. Louisville
I Eights
1. Virginia
2T. Clemson
2T. Tennessee
4. Louisville
5T. UCF
5T. Texas
II Eights
1. Virginia
2. Clemson
3. Texas
4. Tennessee
5. Duke
6. UCF
Fours
1. Virginia
2. Texas
3. Tennessee
4. Louisville
5. Miami (Fla.)
6T. UCF
6T. Clemson