May 13, 2005
ORLANDO - After nearly a month's hiatus from competition, the UCF women's rowing team returns to action this weekend with the lightweights racing in Philadelphia's prestigious Dad Vail and the openweights traveling to Oakridge, Tenn. for the Aramark South/Central Sprints.
Featuring Robin Capers, Pamela Wall, Lindsay Wood, Lauren Rice, Laura Bacci, Melissa Kroll, Janae Corrado, Laura Brad and coxswain Stephanie Mangone, the Lightweight Eight rows in a five-boat final on Saturday at the Dad Vail against some familiar foes. The Golden Knights fell to UC-Santa Barbara and beat Villanova in early April at the San Diego Crew Classic grand final then took second to Dayton at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships two weeks later.
Historically, the Knights have performed well at the Dad Vail and came away with the bronze medal the past two seasons.
The Varsity and Novice openweights return to Melton Hill Lake for the second time this spring as they take on top regional competition at the South/Central Sprints. The Novice Eight opens competition on Saturday in the first of three heats, which includes Iowa, Duke, Michigan and Notre Dame.
Currently ranked sixth in the NCAA South Region Poll, the Varsity Eight of Caitlin Pauls, Kyla Smith, Tanya Kleisler, Melissa Westhoff, Amy Price, Krystina Sarff, Katherine Motes, Mary Rosser and Lisa Beltran will face No. 4 Texas and in-state rival Miami in their Saturday heat. The top three - including host Tennessee, Virginia and Clemson - are in the fourth heat, while No. 5 Louisville is racing in the first heat. With so many of the regions top squads participating in the regatta, it gives the Knights a chance to gauge their progress.
UCF will also race in the Junior Varsity Eight and Varsity Four events.
All heats are scheduled for Saturday with finals on Sunday.
Varsity Eight: Caitlin Pauls (stroke), Kyla Smith, Tanya Kleisler, Melissa Westhoff, Amy Price, Krystina Sarff, Katherine Motes, Mary Rosser, Lisa Beltran (cox).
Junior Varsity Eight: Maya Fluharty (stroke), Christine Richardville, Becky Meale, Kristin Roach, Erika Frantz, Brittney Kusner, Christy Collier, April Verpoorten, Heather Brooks (cox).
Novice Eight: Kayla Reiff (stroke), Erin Riegel, Vanessa Santana, Jessica Lorne, Laurel Elmore, Megan Kranz, Katrina Gavette, Katie Fulton, Jennifer Brooks (cox).
Varsity Four: Hawley Jervis (stroke), Erin Wiegers, Alex Guillermety, Nicole Szwanke, Kim Swift (cox).
Spares: Eleni Roussos
Varsity Lightweight Eight: Robin Capers (stroke), Pamela Wall, Lindsay Wood, Lauren Rice, Laura Bacci, Melissa Kroll, Janae Corrado, Laura Brad, Stephanie Mangone (cox).