June 3, 2005
ORLANDO - The UCF Lightweight Eight crew races against some of the top competition in the nation in its season finale at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Championship on Saturday morning. The regatta takes place on the Cooper River in Cherry Hill, N.J.
The Golden Knights' boat, which features Robin Capers, Laura Brad, Pamela Wall, Lauren Rice, Laura Bacci, Melissa Kroll, Katherine Motes, Erin Riegel and coxswain Lisa Beltran, rows in the first heat of the day along with Wisconsin, Stanford, Georgetown and Marist.
Racing in the second heat are Princeton, Radcliffe (Harvard), Ohio State, San Diego State and Lehigh. The field is smaller although no less competitive than in the past. Last year's top three - champion Wisconsin, runner-up Princeton and third place Radcliffe - return as well as fourth place Georgetown. UCF took sixth overall in 2004.
The top three places from each of the heats will advance to the grand final, while all others fall to the petite final.
Because the NCAA does not sponsor an event in the lightweight eight, the winner of the IRA Championship is considered the national champion.
Probable UCF Lineup
Lightweight Eight: Robin Capers (stroke), Laura Brad, Pamela Wall, Lauren Rice, Laura Bacci, Melissa Kroll, Katherine Motes, Erin Riegel, Lisa Beltran (cox).
Spare: Jennifer Frye