April 6, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.UCFAthletics.com) - Two weeks removed from its Petrakis Cup victory, the UCF women's rowing team splits into two squads for separate competitions on Saturday, April 7. The openweight crew races against host Virginia and Duke at Lake Monticello, while the lightweight team travels to New Jersey to compete against Princeton and MIT.
The regatta in Virginia uses a dual format as the Knights face Duke in the morning session before taking on UVA in the afternoon. UCF rowed against the Blue Devils in mid-March during the Longhorn Invitational, earning victories in the varsity eight, second varsity eight and novice eight races.
The Cavaliers showed good speed when they beat the Knights last fall at the Rivanna Romp near Charlottesville, Va. They also won the Princeton Chase and finished second in the Championship Eight at the Head of the Charles. This spring UVA's varsity eight was ranked as high as No. 2 in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/USRowing poll before dropping to No. 7 this week. Meanwhile, UCF's varsity eight remains undefeated in its first five races.
"Virginia and Duke are all formidable opponents, so we'll need to race to our potential to be in the mix," said UCF head coach Leeanne Crain. "With last weekend off, we've been training hard so the team is pretty tired, but I have no doubt that they'll rise to the occasion on Saturday and give everything they've got."
With the first NCAA South Region polls being released next week, the races in Virginia have wider implications as UCF is looking for more exposure on the regional and national levels.
Meanwhile, the lightweights also face tough competition at their venue on New Jersey's Carnegie Lake. Last season, host Princeton edged the Knights by less than two seconds in both the preliminary heat and the grand final of the eights at the 2006 Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Championship. MIT won the petite final.
In Saturday's competition, UCF is slated to race a single boat in the varsity eight and two boats in the varsity four.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.
UCF Lineups vs. Virginia/Duke
At Charlottesville, Va.
Varsity Eight
Cox: Katie Chapman, Stroke: Caitlin Pauls, 7: Krystina Sarff, 6: Stephanie Pauls, 5: Tara Rogers, 4: Tanis Franchuk, 3: Melissa Westhoff, 2: Stephanie Adams, Bow: Erin Reigel.
Second Varsity Eight
Cox: Erika Venza, Stroke: Robin Capers, 7: Brittney Kusner, 6: Erika Frantz, 5: Eleni Roussos, 4: Danielle Leen, 3: Erin Bernier, 2: Meagan Harrell, Bow: Pamela Wall.
Varsity Four "A"
Cox: Anne Marie Rossi, Stroke: Jordynn Pauls, 3: Katie Fulton, 2: Laura Bacci, Bow: Jessica Veeneman.
Novice Eight
Cox: Jen Torrent, Stroke: Samantha Sarff, 7: Lauren Hampson, 6: Jessi Bals, 5: Liz Langdon, 4: Beth Hendrian, 3: Nicole Hoag, 2: Chelsea Rice, Bow: Chelsey Walter.
UCF Lineups vs. Princeton/MIT
At Princeton, N.J.
Varsity Lightweight Eight
Cox: Tori Ryan, Stroke: Lauren Schueler, 7: Taylor Wiatt, 6: Megan Mitchell, 5: Kathleen Noble, 4: Morgan Bell, 3: Michelle Carter, 2: Christina Caltabiano, Bow: Jana Read.
Varsity Four "A"
Cox: Tori Ryan, Stroke: Lauren Schueler, 3: Taylor Wiatt, 2: Megan Mitchell, Bow: Kathleen Noble.
Varsity Four "B"
Cox: Tori Ryan, Stroke: Kathryn Harness, 3: Michelle Carter, 2: Morgan Bell, Bow: Jana Read