May 15, 2009
Schedule and Lineups in PDF Format
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - With almost a month gone by since its last event, the UCF rowing team eagerly hits the water again this weekend for the Aramark Sprints South/Central Regional Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The Knights will have five boats competing in the regatta which begins Saturday and runs through Sunday.
Action on Melton Hill Lake begins for the Knights' at 9:30 a.m. when the second varsity four pushes off, before UCF's novice eight takes to the water at 10 a.m., facing off against Kansas, Notre Dame, Michigan, Alabama and Oklahoma `B'. The novice-eight squad, made up of coxswain Claire Frenkel, Caitlin Matthews, Christina Bechtold, Michelle Haves, Nina Morgan, Chelsey Green, Lucia Pinelli, Margaret Lahmeyer and Alyssa Egan, has won seven of its eight races this season, falling only to Virginia at the Virginia Invitational on April 11. The squad will look to avenge that loss this weekend as they could face the Cavaliers in the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon or the finals on Sunday.
Following the novice-eight race, the varsity four with battle Alabama, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Tennessee at 10:20 a.m., while the second varsity eight competes against SMU, Michigan, Clemson and Texas at 11:10 a.m.
The varsity-four squad has already faced both the Badgers and the Lady Volunteers earlier this season, falling to Wisconsin at the Longhorn Invitational in March, the team's first regatta of the year, before defeating Tennessee in its last regatta, the Lake Natoma Invitational, in mid-April.
The Knights' varsity-eight squad concludes the morning session at 11:50 a.m. when it challenges Alabama, Tennessee, No. 8 Ohio State and No. 14 Wisconsin. The varsity-eight boat of coxswain Lauren Patton, Liz Robinson, Samantha MIller, Chelsey Lauzon, Samantha Sarff, Stephanie Adams, Tara Rogers, Erin Bernier and Allisha Campaigne will row against nine of the nation's top-25 teams in its regional championship this season. Besides Ohio State and Wisconsin, the Knights will also possibly face No. 3 Michigan State, No. 6 Michigan, No. 10 Clemson, No. 11 Virginia, No. 17 Iowa, No. 18 Louisville and No. 19 Minnesota throughout the weekend.
Last season, UCF placed 13th overall and sixth in the South Region at the Aramark Sprints. The Black and Gold novice eight picked up third place in the grand final on the final day of competition, marking the second time a UCF crew reached a grand final (the varsity eight in 2007), and the first time a Knight boat medaled at the event.
Unlike the New England, Mid-Atlantic and West Regions, the South/Central Regional Championships is the only regatta in the NCAA to combine two regions. Likewise, the event is the only regional championship which is limited to intercol¬legiate programs.
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.
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