April 1, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - With the UCF rowing team's inaugural regatta at the UCF Intercollegiate Rowing Center against Duke slated for Saturday at 9 a.m. on Lake Pickett, the UCFAthletics.com staff was able to catch up with Samantha Sarff to get her thoughts on the 2009 season, how she arrived at UCF and what it takes to be a part of SAAC.
Sarff isn't new to the daily grind of balancing school and sports. The Valrico, Fla., native is currently in her third year at UCF and with the Black and Gold rowing team. Sarff, a former all-state volleyball player at Durant High School, is also a member and co-president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at UCF.
How have you and your teammates prepared for the 2009 season?
"As a team we have changed our training plan from last year. We have a new assistant coach, Marc DeRose, and he came in with some really good and new ideas. We are just putting that into place and it seems to be working out really well thus far. I think we will have good results from it. Personally, I have been staying on top of the two workouts that we have a day and I come to them well rested and mentally prepared. The mental factor of rowing is huge."
What are your personal goals, and also the team's goals, this year?
"My goals are for us to have a have a really successful season building off of last year's accomplishments. We have a lot of young talent, and that is really going to help us this year. I am hoping to get to the grand final at the South/Central Regional Championship. That would be my ultimate goal."
How have you improved as a rower since arriving at UCF?
"I came here as a scholarship athlete, but I had never actually rowed before. My sister (Krystina Sarff) previously rowed here, and she is now training with the U.S. National Team. I was recruited based on my athletic ability, and not rowing. I had a lot to live up to when I first got here, so I think I have definitely improved over my time here."
Being an all-county, all-state and all-region volleyball player in high school, how did rowing come into the equation at the collegiate level?
"I had a lot of offers to different schools for volleyball, but whenever I went on any of the visits I just couldn't see myself at any of those schools. My sister was saying that I should row in college, and then our coach contacted me and said that I should come and visit. I met the entire team when I was here and I just loved everything about UCF. If they wanted me that bad, then I thought I might as well try it. It has all worked out."
Were you able to take some of the lessons you learned from volleyball and basketball and apply them to rowing?
"I think so because the hard-work aspect of all three sports is the same. It was definitely a transition because although they are all team sports, volleyball and basketball can be more individual because you can point out how well you did in a game or match, but in rowing it is all eight people working as one. It was a little difficult to get used to not having the individual spotlight, but I enjoy it. I think it is the ultimate team sport."
How hard is it balancing a full course load of school and competing during the spring?
"It is not too bad. I came into it thinking it was going to be a lot harder than it was. When I got here I was kind of relieved. I am now in my junior year and taking upper-level courses, so it is getting a little more difficult. As long as you take the time and plan ahead and don't just leave everything to the last second, then you will be successful. The key is to do everything early and to stay ahead."
What has your experience been like as the co-president of SAAC?
"It has been great working with Jenny Heppert of the volleyball team. She has taught me a lot because she has been in SAAC a lot longer that I have. It is just good to be able to get into the community and work with the Central Florida Children's Home, and to also work with all of the administrators here has been a great experience."
Do you feel that your role with SAAC gives you added pressure to perform better in the classroom?
"I think so because more people know my name around the offices and also because we work hand-in-hand with all of the administrators. There definitely is more pressure because I have a greater role in the athletic community. I think it is good though because it keeps me pushing myself."
What are your plans after you graduate next year?
"I want to get my master's degree in education, and I eventually want to become and elementary school teacher, either second or third grade. Another possibility would be to play on the AVP beach volleyball tour. Either of the two professions is what I hope to be doing in the future."
-Eric DeSalvo