May 3, 2010
By Brittany Dixon
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. - Conference USA has added rowing to its sponsored sports this year and the first C-USA women's rowing championship will be held May 15-16 in conjunction with the South/Central Regional Championship at Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
C-USA will determine the 2010 winners in the varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four events according to the results of the South/Central Regional Championship. Team and individual awards will be presented at the awards ceremony, after the regatta.
The conference totals nine teams. SMU, Tulsa and UCF are the only full time members. Alabama, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas will be affiliate members of the league.
This will be the first time competing in a conference championship for UCF's rowing squad and the team has been preparing since before the season started.
Senior Jordynn Pauls, a member of the Knights' varsity squad is thrilled that UCF is part of a conference.
"Every other sport at UCF is part of the conference," Pauls said. "We now have that chance to win a championship ring like all of the other sports at UCF."
The Knights have already battled four of the conference teams this season.
The varsity eight squad has defeated both Alabama and Kansas State while the second varsity eight has earned victories against Alabama, Kansas State, Oklahoma and Texas. The varsity four came in first place over Kansas State and Oklahoma.
"We're excited about the championship because our conference is very manageable," said senior, Lauren Hampson. "I feel that we're one of the top two teams in the conference. We look forward to being able to say we are conference champions and win the ring."
The 2011 C-USA Championship will stand on its own with only the nine members competing. Winners will have an automatic spot in the NCAA Women's Rowing Championship beginning in 2013.
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. -UCF-