ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF wrapped up its fall season on Nov. 12 with the annual Black and Gold Classic on Lake Pickett. The Knights also competed at the Princeton Chase and traveled to Miami for a scrimmage.
"What I noticed immediately from the first practice is that this team is on a mission," head coach Becky Cramer said. "They are focused, driven and have a great attitude. They are in a very good place and have good communication with each other."
At the Princeton Chase on Lake Carnegie, a ninth-place finish was posted by the Varsity Four A, while the Varsity Eight A registered the 13th-best time. The event on Oct. 30 featured a number of squads that rowed in the NCAA Championship.
"Princeton was a very good opportunity for us to go out and race crews that we are going to see in the spring," senior Ashleigh Boyd said. "We know that they are fast crews. We know that we are trying to get fast, so it was a very good measuring stick on where we want to go in the future."
After a scrimmage at Miami on Nov. 4, the Knights held their annual Black & Gold Classic the following Saturday. With the varsity squad already split up into back and gold teams, the coaches assigned the novice rowers to their new groups.
"We love intrasquad competition and it really motivates us," senior Rachael Klunder said. "The Black and Gold Classic is always very challenging and it carries bragging rights for the rest of the year. Making lineups and calling shots for the day is also always fun. It gives us something to be accountable for in what we are doing. It's always fun to see who steps up and takes charge.
The Black squad won seven of the 10 events, which included the Varsity 8+, Mixed 8+, Sophomore 4+, Freshman 4+, 2x, 2– and 1x. Victories were notched by the Gold squad in the Novice 8+, Mixed 4+ and coxswain 4+.
"They got a lot out of it from the opportunity to race singles, doubles and pairs, while having fun with rowing," Cramer said. "They also had to communicate with their teammates in a different way and work towards accomplishing a goal without necessarily having the road map right in front of them."
UCF begins preparations for its spring season in January with the first regatta set for March 4. The Knights start the campaign at the Metro Cup on Lake Maitland.