Oct. 26, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF women's novice rowing team faces its first competition of the 2007-08 season when the Knights race at the Hatter Classic on the St. John's River Saturday morning.
"The event is going to be a good testing ground," said novice coach Andy Derrick. "The athletes have already made large strides from the start of the season, but this gives us a chance to really gauge where the team is now and look for areas to improve."
In addition to having three entries is the freshman/novice event at 10:45 a.m., UCF also has a novice crew slated for the varsity eight race at 11:30 a.m. The Knights' line-up features coxswain Callie Waers, Leah VanLear, Andrea Carr, Melea McCreary, Leanna Maasarani, Lauryn Steelman, Charlotte DeGeorge, Sheilah Abadines and Erin Campbell. Varsity boats from Nova Southeastern, Barry and host Stetson are expected to compete.
"We wanted to provide a challenge for the athletes," said Derrick. "This weekend's line-ups are reflective of where the athletes are right now, but they will likely be different come spring season."
Both individual and boat results will be used by the UCF coaching staff to determine who will represent the Knights at the Head of the Hooch as they choose eight rowers, a coxswain and an alternate to compete at the event.
The Knights close out the fall when both the open and lightweight squads compete at the Head of the Hooch from Nov. 3-4. They open the spring season at the Metro Cup on March 1.
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Freshman/Novice Eight "A"
Cox: Briana Landesburg, stroke: Christine Rubino, 7: Arielle Matyas, 6: Katelyn Dawes, 5: Eileen Huppert; 4: Ashley Gleason, 3: Monica Larkin, 2: Kelly Burnett, bow: Marian Houston.
Freshman/Novice Eight "B"
Cox: Amanda Hoffman, stroke: Ashley Stowe, 7: Alison Lacara, 6: Kathleen Coulter, 5: Rebecca DeCesare, 4: Tracy Brock 3: Lauren May, 2: Alyssa Feliciano, bow: Rachael Carpenter.
Freshman/Novice Eight "C"
Cox: Charlene Ruhge, stroke: Samantha Fahed, 7: Cathryn Young, 6: Janet Audette, 5: Stephanie Caiazza, 4: Kari LaRubio, 3: Katy Foster, 2: Nicole Glade, bow: Lena Aspiras.
Varsity Eight
Cox: Callie Waers, stroke: Leah VanLear, 7: Andrea Carr, 6: Melea McCreary, 5: Leanna Maasarani, 4: Lauryn Steelman, 3: Charlotte DeGeorge, 2: Sheilah Abadines, bow: Erin Campbell.