April 6, 2010
By Brittany Dixon
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Senior Jordynn Pauls has seen many changes during her four years at UCF. She began her collegiate rowing career in 2006 as one of only two freshmen on the varsity squad when the Knights did not have a boathouse, a dock, running water or electricity during practices.
This season, Pauls is a team-voted captain, with a different head coach than when she started and she now has the opportunity to use the newly built UCF Intercollegiate Rowing Center to increase her chance to accomplish her and the team's goal of winning the Conference USA championship.
With rowing being added as a C-USA sponsored sport in 2010, the senior is excited about UCF finally becoming a league sport during her last season.
"Every other sport at UCF is part of the conference," Pauls said. "We now have that chance to win a championship ring like all the other sports here."
The inaugural C-USA Championship will take place in May. This year, the final results will be determined by the outcome of the South/Central Regional Rowing Championships, but in 2011 the league will conduct its own regatta.
Pauls began her rowing career at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary her sophomore year of high school and was heavily influenced by her sisters, two former UCF rowers Stephanie and Caitlin, to continue rowing and to join the Knights.
"The fact that they came here, made me want to come here," Pauls said. "I also knew UCF was a powerful rowing program and a school where people actually wanted to be," Pauls said.
When she first came to UCF in the fall of 2006, Pauls made the top 24 on the rowing machine which placed her on the varsity team. She rowed for the varsity 4+ boat her first year and earned four consecutive victories to open the season. Pauls also earned the Petrakis Cup title with the varsity 4+ that same year.
The following season, as a sophomore, Pauls dealt with the head coach leaving mid-season.
"That was definitely something difficult, because you start with one coach and her training program and it was hard to then switch in the middle." Pauls said. "But I think Coach Becky (Cramer) has definitely taken us under her wing and I think we have improved. I think the team has gotten faster and we've just become more like a family instead of just a team."
Pauls raced with the second varsity 8+ and varsity 8+ boats her sophomore and junior years, with the varsity 8+ boat earning fourth- place honors in the Petite Final at 2009 South/Central Regional Championships.
The 2007 season was the first and only time Pauls and the Knights went to NCAA Championships, which is a goal for the team this year.
"Our ultimate goal each season to go to the NCAA Championships," Pauls said. "Only 16 teams make it. We went my freshman year and haven't been since."
Pauls looks forward to making her last season the best one. This year, as a member of the varsity 8+ squad, she has only participated in two regattas so far and has already received three victories including a win over nationally ranked Iowa.
After graduation, Pauls plans to move back to Canada, her home, and pursue a job in law enforcement. But that doesn't mean she will forget her time at UCF as part of a victorious rowing squad.
"I will definitely miss the girls on the team," Pauls said. "I see them twice a day for practice and also in classes so they've become all my best friends. You go through everything with them."
Pauls' experience with UCF rowing will remain a fond memory as she continues with her life.
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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