March 7, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF novice rowing team opened its 2009 season Saturday with a strong showing, as the squad picked up its 12th-straight victory in the varsity 8+ event and were crowned the overall-points champions at the season-opening Metro Cup regatta on Lake Maitland.
Racing against the competition's varsity squads, the boat of Claire Frenkel, Caitlin Matthews, Tina Bechtold, Michelle Haves, Lucia Pinelli, Margaret Lahmeyer, Nina Morgan, Lily Guy and Alyssa Egan took first place honors in the varsity 8+ event with a time of 7:07.9, almost 10 seconds ahead of second-place Villanova, who clocked in at 7:17.2, to claim the Robin Yuell Women's V8 Championship.
Three additional boats competed at the regatta hosted by nearby Rollins College, with two of UCF's boats competing in the varsity 4+ race. Frenkel, Matthews, Bechtold, Haves and Pinelli made up the UCF "A" squad that placed third in the event with a time of 7:41.3, behind Villanova and Rollins, while the UCF "B" boat clocked in with a 7:57.0 showing.
UCF's final squad took part in the varsity 4+ "B" race, finishing in a time of 8:16.9. Rollins crossed the finish line first in the event with a time of 7:42.6, while Villanova's 7:58.5 finish was good for second.
In 13 years of competing at the Metro Cup, the Knights have totaled 37 victories at the regatta, including 12-straight in the varsity 8+ event.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Metro Cup Results
Women's Varsity 8+
1st place - UCF - 7:07.9
2nd place - Villanova - 7:17.2
3rd place - Rollins - 7:26.6
Women's Varsity 4+
1st place - Villanova - 7:36.9
2nd place - Rollins - 7:39.8
3rd place - UCF "A" - 7:41.3
4th place - UCF "B" - 7:57.0
Women's Varsity 4+ "B"
1st place - Rollins - 7:42.6
2nd place - Villanova - 7:58.5
3rd place - UCF - 8:16.9
-UCF-