April 13, 2011
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By Sarah Tarasewicz
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF rowing's first varsity eight squad earned its first Conference USA Boat of the Week honor Wednesday after picking up a nearly seven-second victory over league-rival Alabama on Black Warrior River last weekend.
"It is exciting to see the varsity eight voted C-USA Boat of the Week," head coach Becky Cramer said. "They have been working hard all season and after a couple weekends off, they put together a really solid race against a strong Alabama boat."
Members of the Knights' first varsity eight squad are coxswain Brittany Skidmore, Margaret Lahmeyer, Allisha Campaigne, Michelle Haves, Katherine Krueger, Chelsey Lauzon, Liz Robinson, Kara Johannesen and Calena Illan.
The C-USA weekly award is the first for the Black and Gold and for the first varsity eight boat, while it is only the second honor awarded since the league began sponsoring rowing last season.
The Knights crossed the finish line in 6:22.8 in the event finale Saturday against a Crimson Tide team that was receiving one vote in the most recent CRCA/USRowing Coaches Poll - presented by Pocock Racing Shells. Alabama, who was the reigning C-USA Boat of the Week, finished the race in 6:29.5.
UCF will be back in action April 16-17 when it competes in the Lake Natoma Invitational in Sacramento, Calif. The Knights will then return to Orlando to host its lone home event of the year April 30 vs. Miami.