Girls Preparatory School coxswain Lexie Kyriakidis had a signing party Friday to celebrate her scholarship to continue her crew career at Jacksonville University.
She ultimately picked the Florida school over two other NCAA Division I schools that offered competitive rowing with her desired major in cinematography: Southern Methodist and Tulsa.
“I just felt really led to Jacksonville. The Lord showed me that’s where I needed to be,” Kyriakidis said. “It’s a great environment for students, and it’s gorgeous.”
The Dolphins have been to the last two national championship regattas.
Kyriakidis said she was not into sports growing up – she was a “musical/theater person” – but tried crew as a sophomore.
“I really don’t know why I started, but once I did I haven’t stopped. I love it,” said the 5-foot-3 daughter of an Army major.
A family member suggested that “she gets giving orders naturally,” and first-year GPS crew coach Megan McCourt acknowledged Kyriakidis is very comfortable in the coxswain role, which includes steering the boat and coordinating the rowers.
“I think at Jacksonville she will do well. She will be a good leader,” McCourt said. “She’s someone who has a lot of self-confidence, which is good, and who is very expressive. She knows what she needs to do and how to do it.”
Contact Ron Bush at rbush@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6291.