ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF rowing team completed its team tryouts this morning at Lake Pickett. Head coach Becky Cramer and her coaching staff announced the walk-on student-athletes that earned a spot on the novice squad.
Congratulations to the 36 newest members of UCF Rowing and thank you to all the students that were a part of our tryouts this year!
Zoe Barbeau
Ashley Barnes
Danielle Braun
Erin Catlin
Daria Chiarella
Daniela Estrada
Victoria Gingras
Eliana Gonzalez
Demi Heinemann
Jordan Jahosky
Ciera Jarrett
Taylor Jenko
Dione Jones
Paiton Krebs
Triston Krebs
Liz Mallet
Julia Marquez
Sydney McKenzie
Lauren Miller
Sarah Miller
Sharmicha Moore
Megan Murphy
Elizabeth Nava
Darby Oakes
Amrita Persaud
Alyssa Ramos
Julia Rifenberg
Dina Samaan
Nicole Sikonyak
Raquel Smeenge
Morgan Smith
Sarah Swiersz
Valeria Tejeira
Maria Urdareta
Katrina Willie
Danielle Wilson
"Novices at UCF have always played a big role in our success and have been instrumental on both Conference Championship and NCAA squads," coach Cramer said. "Having talented and competitive athletes learning to row within our program increases our depth and competitiveness, raising the bar for everyone."
These novice student-athletes are an important aspect of the Knights' program. They went through two weeks of training, which included strength and conditioning circuits, rowing techniques and an introduction to the boathouse on Lake Pickett.
Novice coaches Megan Mitchell and Kathy Les are happy with the results of tryouts and are eager to begin working with this group.
"We've had an exciting week of tryouts with a lot of talent and potential in the mix," said assistant coach Megan Mitchell. "This time of year is fun in that we get to find good athletes and make them into great rowers and coxswains. Our novice squad is such an integral part of the depth of our varsity program. We are really looking forward to the potential of this year's novice class."
The Knights are set to continue their fall preparations. The 2016-17 schedule will be released in the next few weeks.