A Year in Review

Dear Friends of OCU Rowing and Canoe/Kayak:

2010 has been a remarkable year for the Oklahoma River and Oklahoma City University including milestone events and exciting developments that continue to bolster remarkable momentum. It is exciting to reflect that just 10 years ago our now vibrant Oklahoma River existed as a desolate landscape that was just beginning its historic transformation made possible by the original Metropolitan Area Projects. It was also 10 years ago that a fledgling rowing club formed at Oklahoma City University, inspired by the opportunity to bring intercollegiate rowing to downtown Oklahoma City. The vision of a single boathouse seemed like an insurmountable dream and our current U.S. Olympic Training Site was not navigable to any type of boat or conducive to training and competition.

It is with this perspective that we reflect on 2010 as a year that firmly positioned Oklahoma City University as a new leader in the sport of rowing and canoe/kayak. The Oklahoma River has blossomed as a vital community asset and a master plan vision of a true “boathouse district” is now becoming reality. The following are some of 2010’s many highlights:

· The City of Oklahoma City transformed the Oklahoma River shoreline for the Boathouse District including carving out inlets, contouring the shoreline, creating a walkway along the river’s edge, and developing an expansive new parking area on 6^th street

· Construction began on the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower and a “topping out” celebration with the lifting of a 30-foot evergreen tree with white lights to the top of the tower highlighted the holiday season

· The Oklahoma River was home to two national championship events hosted by OKCBF: The American Collegiate National Championship and the USA Canoe/Kayak National Championship with OCU winning medals in each

· OCU launched the nation’s first varsity canoe/kayak program

· The OCU Head of the Oklahoma returned to the Boathouse District with thousands of spectators, a record number of athletes, and the spectacular OGE NightSprints

· The $10 million Devon Boathouse, home of OCU Rowing and Canoe/Kayak, was completed and christened during the Blu Party. The iconic boathouse is undoubtedly the most advanced high performance center for rowing and canoe/kayak in the world

· OCU Rowing won the all-points trophy at the Head of the Hooch

· USRowing announced that Oklahoma City will now be the official home to the US National Lightweight Team and the Center for Advanced Coaching Education

These accomplishments would not be possible without the ongoing generous support of our fans, supporters, and many dedicated volunteers. As we look to the future, the growing opportunities to bolster the remarkable success of OCU Rowing and Canoe/Kayak require additional support from organizations and individuals. To address our sustainability and competitive goals, we are expanding our efforts to seek financial support and ask you to consider being a part of the inaugural “Admiral’s Club,” named in honor of famed OCU trustee and passionate river pioneer Ray Ackerman. Donors of $1,000 or more will be permanently recognized as inaugural members of the Admiral’s Club on the beautiful new donor wall in the entrance of the Devon Boathouse. A one-time gift or ongoing pledge will help ensure a legacy of success for our OCU rowing and paddling teams on the Oklahoma River. The Admiral’s Club overview is attached for your consideration.

Just as the original MAPS river project inspired great hope and optimism with the impounding of water back into the river, we enter 2011 with the launch of the MAPS 3 river projects on the immediate horizon. OCU Rowing and Canoe/Kayak will experience continued momentum with these upcoming milestones:

· 2011 will bring the largest events ever staged on the Oklahoma River with the USRowing Masters Nationals and the return of international racing to the USA Rowing World Challenge during the OCU Head of the Oklahoma

· OCU rowing and canoe/kayak athletes will participate in national selection events and will be considered for national team camp positions

· The Devon Boathouse will offer state of the art new amenities for the OCU athletes to experience (to be unveiled in January) along with a growing number of elite athletes relocating to Oklahoma City

· The Chesapeake Finish Line Tower will also open as a gleaming new international rowing and canoe/kayak landmark and community gathering point

· OCU rowing and canoe/kayak anticipates welcoming a strong new recruiting class

· The Oklahoma River will glow under lights as MAPS 3 transforms the Oklahoma River into the only permanently lit rowing and kayaking course in the world

Thank you for your interest and support of our OCU water sports and the Oklahoma River. We are very fortunate to be experiencing the historic transformation of the Oklahoma River and the formation of OCU rowing and paddling traditions that will impact Oklahoma City and the Olympic Movement for generations to come.

Just like a crew pulling together to cross the finish line in first place, our community of supporters have propelled the Oklahoma River from a dream into one of the leading rowing and kayaking destinations in the nation. This momentum is propelling OCU into a leader in Olympic water sports. I graciously welcome you to join our crew in 2011 with your participation and support of the Admiral’s Club.

On behalf of the athletes and coaches of OCU Rowing and Canoe/Kayak, I wish you a very Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Mike Knopp

Director/ Head Coach

Vote for Head of the Oklahoma

The Rowing News is conducting a poll on America's favorite head race:

http://rowingnews.com

We need your vote to let everyone know what we already know: OCU and OKC are winners!

OCU Wins Head of the Hooch!

The final day of racing in Tennessee brought more success for the Stars with action in the single sculls. The Men started the day with Edgars Boitmanis placing 2nd in the Championship Single, behind USA athlete John Graves. Jimmy VonPeters held on for 4th place while red-shirting Drew McNichols placed 6th. Matt Maddamma continued his success at the Hooch with a win in the Men's Lightweight Single by 0.5 seconds. This was the Freshman's 4th Gold from 4 events. Meanwhile the Women joined the fun by placing 1st and 2nd in the Women's Lightweight Single. Kat Schiro edged out Jane Imfeld over the 5000m course and took the Gold. Later in the day there was more medals as the Men's JV eight won Silver in the Men's Open Eight.

Overall the weekend was capped off with OCU in 1st place for Overall Points Trophy, well ahead of the second placed Texas University. It is a remarkable effort by all athletes and a great milestone for OCU Stars during our historic 10th Season.

Congratulations go to all of the rowers and look forward to more success as we move into our Spring Competition starting in March at the Heart of Texas!

Head of the Hooch: 6 medals on the 1st Day

The Oklahoma City University Rowing team won three gold, one silver and two bronze in the first day of racing at the Head of the Hooch Regatta.

Men's Squad

The men won three of the five events they entered on the Tennessee River. In the Men’s Eight (8+), coxswain Jacob Fox (sophomore, Egg Harbor Township, NJ) led the eight men of Jimmy VonPeters (junior stroke seat from Chattanooga, TN), Jared Hooley (senior 7 seat from Eugene, OR), Edgars Boitmanis (sophomore 6 seat from Furmala, Latvia), Matthew Mahon (sophomore 5 seat from Chesterfield, MO), Ryan Claussen (freshman 4 seat from Manhattan, KS), Brock Turner (freshman 3 seat from Tulsa, OK), Matthew Maddamma (freshman 2 seat from Carnegie, PA) and CB Collier (freshman bow seat from Fairfax Station, VA) to a winning time of 15:10 followed by Rowing Newfoundland (15:37) and Vanderbilt University (16:08).

The men also took home the gold medal in the Men’s Open quad (4x). VonPeters, Hooley, Boitmanis and Madddamma rowed the course in a 15:40. Later in the day, Boitmanis paired with Maddamma to win the Championship Double (2x) in 16:51 beating their teammate, VonPeters. VonPeters paired with Oklahoma City (OKC) Riversport athlete Drew McNichols for the silver medal finish of 17:22. Tampa Rowing Club took third place.

Men’s Coach Cameron Brown said, “There is a lot of competition at the Head of the Hooch and being able to win in both sweep and sculling events points to the versatility of the athletes and the depth of the program.”

Women's Squad

The women won two bronze medals one the first day of racing in the two events they entered. The all-senior women’s four (4+) led by coxswain Briana Hurley (Oklahome City), Dinah Harjo (stroke seat from Norman, OK), Megan Duffy (3 seat from Bothell, WA), A. Rose Lane (2 seat from Tulsa, OK) and Katie Sondag (bow seat from Eugene, OR) pulled a time of 19:04 which was good enough to clinch the third place spot in a field of thirty-three crews. Emory University (18:33) and Rowing Newfoundland (18:42) finished first and second.

Junior scullers, Kathryn Schiro (stroke seat from Huntsville, AL) and Jane Imfeld (bow seat from Grapevine, TX) rowed the five kilometre course in 18:29, fifty-four seconds ahead of the fourth place University of Kansas crew. The University of Central Florida (18:19) and Duke University (18:27) took the top two spots.

Women’s Coach Melanie Borger, “This is the fourth year that OCU has travelled to and competed at the Head of the Hooch, so it has been a special race for our seniors. Winning that bronze medal has made it even more memorable. I am looking forward to watching everyone compete again tomorrow.”

Parents

A few hearty (it's cold here) and intrepid parents made the trip to Chattanooga to cook for and cheer on our rowers. The coaches would like to send a special thank you to Lucyann Harjo for helping to drive the bus, Julia Branch and Joe Hill for all the homecooked meals, Brad Claussen for our new banners, and the Mahons, Linda Robbins and Janet Puckett for all their on-site support.

The Stars rowing team will race in the singles (1x) and pairs (2-) events at the Head of the Hooch tomorrow. Check for our results at headofthehooch.org

Photos from the Devon Boathouse Christening

The Christening




The First Carry


A HISTORIC MILESTONE FOR OCU ROWING!

Tuesday Practice - Prep for the Hooch

OCU Head to the Hooch!

Only a few more days until the OCU Varsity team make there way to Chattanooga for the Head of the Hooch regatta on November 6 and 7. Entries in 1x, 2x, 2-, 4x, 4+ and 8+ will provide some great racing.

Watch out for our JV team as they head to their first "away" regatta in Wichita for the Frostbite Regatta.

Results on the weekend's racing will be posted next week.

Go Stars!

blu 2010 - Don't Miss It!

Join us in celebrating the christening of our incredible new boathouse! Tickets are available at blu2010.com.

What's it like being a freshman rower at OCU

Other freshman and all rowers, add your comments and your perspective. This message is from Brock Turner~Melanie

First off it is intense we practice 10 days a week, well of just 6 days a week but 10 practices during those 6 days. Meet at 5:00 A.M., yes A.M. as in morning, four days a week and carpool down to the boathouse. We get out on the water by 5:40 and row 12 K before sun rise, we then watch a beautiful sunrise from the middle of the river. Carpool back to campus and eat as much as we can before class. Then it is class, class, class till lunch. Chow down on some all you can eat pizza and then back off to class. Typically just one class till we head back to the river. Some days we erg, some days we lift but if we are lucky we will go for a second row. Back to the Caf drink bout 4 glasses of power aid, since all they will give us is shot glasses, and a few burgers. then head back to the dorms and study, study, study... well most of the time on rare occasions we will play Xbox or just hang with the guys. then crash early and be ready to get up at 4:45 and start all over again.

Call us Crazy but it is unanimous we love it the life of a Rower cant be beat.

A MILESTONE SEASON BEGINS!

The Devon Boathouse - World class home to OCU Rowing opening in October!

OCU Summer Update

Congratulations and good luck to our incoming athletes who are competing this weekend at USRowing Youth National Championships, including athletes from Oklahoma City Rowing/Chesapeake Junior Crew Clay Puckett, Blake Marley and Patrick Hylton all from the Oklahoma City region, as well as OPRF Rower Mike Pitts from Oak Park, IL. Read about Mike's journey to qualify for this event.

OCU Rower Drew McNichols began U23 camp yesterday at the OKC High Performance Training Center on the Oklahoma River.

Overseas in his home country of Latvia, OCU Rower Edgars Boitmanis raced in a 1x at the Latvian U23 trials and won all heats, coming in 4th in the final. He earned a seat in the 4x and will be racing at U23 world champs if Latvia sends this boat to the event. We'll keep you posted!

Stars medal in All Events Entered at Inaugural USRowing Collegiate Championships

In the first ever USRowing Collegiate National Championship, the Stars medaled in each event they entered on Lake Mercer, in New Jersey.

In the tightest race of the day, Edgars Boitmanis (7:43.79) won the Men's 1x by .26 seconds beating Potomac Boat Club's Brendan Mcewan (7:44.05). John Riesenberg qualified for the Grand Final placing 5th with a time of 8:21. Kat Schiro placed third in the Women's 1x with a time of 9:21. Carla Horne from the university of Tulsa and Emily Boucher from the University of Massachusetts took the top two spots in 9:14 and 9:17 respectively.

In 2x's racing, Jared Hooley and Drew McNichols easily clinched the top spot in the Men's 2x in a time of 7:45 while the University of Tennessee (8:12) and William and Mary (8:47) came in second and third. In a deep field, the Women's Lightweight 2x of Sarah Meyer and Jane Imfeld easily won the silver medal with a time of 8:50. The University of Massachusetts' A (8:39) and B (9:08) crews came in first and third.

With only a few minutes to spare between races, Imfeld and Meyer joined teammates Schiro and Brittni Slattery to compete in the Women's 4x placing third with a time of 8:02. The University of Tulsa won the event (7:53) while Duke University came in second (7:58). Boitmanis, Hooley, McNichols and Riesenberg raced the Men's 4x in a time of 6:57.

Coach Linas Smailys, " It was an exciting regatta, and an important part of history to be a part of the first USRowing Collegiate Championship. Edgars' sprint to win the Men's 1x was exciting. All the crews preformed well, and if Sarah and Jane did not have to race the 4x so soon after their 2x race, I believe they would have beaten Duke."

A special thanks to Joe Hill for the pictures and to Kat's and Jane's parents for being our most enthusiastic on-site supporters and fans.

Tullos invited to USRowing Men's Pre-Elite National Team Camp

OCU's Hugh Tullos will join 13 other rowers from across the country at the USRowing Men's Pre-Elite National Team Camp in OKC June 9 - July 18. Athletes from this camp will be selected to compete at the USRowing Club National Championships and train alongside the current residents at the Oklahoma City National High Performance Center.Learn more about the High Performance Center.

OCU's Final 2009-2010 Regattas underway

OCU is competing this weekend at ACRA and the USRowing Collegiate Regatta. Check out the article for today's Oklahoman on the OCU women's 4+.

Check results for ACRA. Check results for the USRowing collegiate regatta.

OCU’s McNichols Invited to Under 23 National Team Rowing Camp

For Drew McNichols, an invitation to the USRowing Under 23 Camp is an opportunity of a lifetime.

“As a freshman I remember my coach, Tempe Knopp, telling us the development standard for 2k and 6k times for the U23 team,” said McNichols. “Back then I never imagined I’d be competing for a spot on the U23 team to go to worlds.”

McNichols literally stumbled across rowing when he was in high school. The Fall Creek, Oregon native was on a cross-country training run past Dexter Lake when he happened to see kids on the dock, getting ready for rowing practice.

“I walked down for a closer look and the coach had me get in his launch,” he recalls. “The next day I was in a boat.”

The sport proved a natural fit for McNichols, whose competitive spirit drives him both on and off the water. McNichols just finished his junior year at OCU, earning several accolades, including an award for Outstanding Economics Major from the Meinder’s School of Business and a nomination for the Jim Wade Award, which honors student athletes who best represent the Stars, both for the 2009-2010 academic year.

“Through this camp I hope to be exposed to a higher level of competition so I can bring that back to my OCU teammates, making us all more competitive next fall,” McNichols said.

With his senior year at OCU approaching, McNichols is considering the next step in his rowing career.

“Now that there is a USRowing High Performance Training Center on the Oklahoma River, I can apply to train right here in OKC. There are many steps I need to take to be a candidate for this program, and making the U23 team would definitely help.”

McNichols’ recent success at USRowing’s National Team Selection/Speed Order Regatta, where he and partner Edgar Boitmanis placed second in the Men’s Double event, is one of those steps.

“I’ve come a long way since my freshman year at OCU, when I flipped 9 times over two semesters. Growing up working with my brothers as ranch hands on my father’s ranch instilled a work ethic in me that I have to credit for all my success. It’s what brought me to my new goal: to make the U23 team and compete at worlds.”

Meyer featured in the Oklahoman

Congratulations to OCU Rower Sarah Meyer, who graduated from OCU Nursing School (with a 3.9!) this weekend and was also featured in Sunday's edition of The Oklahoman.

More Academic Honors for the Stars

The Petree College of Arts & Sciences held its Honors and Awards Convocation on Friday May 7. OCU stars continued to shine, with women's rowing team member Briana Hurley and men's rowing team member Brice Heinen both being elected to the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Brice was also recognized as graduating Magna Cum Laude for having a GPA between 3.75-3.89. And, he was honored with the Outstanding Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Studies award.

Congratulations on your achievements!

Classen Named Kansas State Rowing Association’s Junior Man of the Year

Congratulations to incoming OCU Rower Ryan Classen, who was voted by his teammates and coaches as Kansas State Rowing Association’s Junior Man of the Year. Classen, who won the Kansas Open Indoor Rowing Championship in Topeka, KS this winter, will be a tremendous addition to the OCU team.

Congratulations Rowers on your OUTSTANDING Achievements

As the academic year comes to a close, we want to express just how proud we are of our athletes - for what they do on the water, but also what they do off the water.

This year, we had a number of athletes honored for their off the water accomplishments in both the classroom and the community. Congratulations to:

Megan Duffy, Briana Hurley, Rose Lane, Drew McNichols and John Riesenberg, who were selected to be in the athletic honors society, Chi Alpha Sigma. In order to be inducted into this society, athletes must have a 3.4 GPA or higher.

Drew and Sarah Meyer were nominees for the 2009-2010 Jim Wade Award, which honors student athletes who best represent the Stars.

Drew also received an award for outstanding economics major in the Meinder's School of Business.

Edgar Boitmanis was awarded the StuPro award for Most Impact on the Community.

Nick Hagen was named Battalion Commander of his ROTC squad.

Keep up the great work, Stars!

Just in - Pictures from NSR

Thanks to Joel Hill for these great photos from NSR #1.

OCU Men finished 2nd, 4th and 5th in the Men's 2x event, which had a total of six entries.
2nd: Edgar & Drew
4th: Jimmy & Hugh (missed 3rd by 1/2 a bow ball)
5th: Bryce & Jared.

Congratulations also to OCU Rowing Alum/World Championships competitor Cody Lowry who took 1st with Jon D'Alba in the Men's 2x.

Full results are available online.

Team christens James E. "Alexander the Great" at the Sports Spectacular

The rowing team christened a brand new heavyweight men's Hudson 4+ at the OCU Sports Spectacular on Tuesday, April 27th. The 4+ was christened the James E. "Alexander the Great" after the late James E. Alexander, husband of Ann Lacy. Brice Heinen, Hugh Tullos, A. Rose Lane, and Sarah Meyer christened the boat with champagne on stage in front of hundreds of OCU fans and boosters.

Ann Lacy is a loyal and tireless supporter of OCU. In addition to the rowing shell named after her husband, the Ann Lacy Visitor Center, the Ann Lacy School of Dance Management and the Ann Lacy Softball Stadium are all named in her honor.

The 4+ arrived in Oklahoma City that morning at 5 am on a trailer from NJ, and the men's crew is looking forward to training in it and racing it at the ACRA Championship.

In addition to the boat christening, the rowing team raised over $13,000 in the live auction. The Sports Spectacular is the OCU athletic departments annual fundraising event. This year, the event honored President McDaniel who is retiring at the end of this semester.

OCU vs Wichita State

Women's 8+:
1. OCU: 8:33
2. WSU: 8:44

Women's 4+
1. WSU: 9:36
2. OCU: 9:49

Men's 4+ A
1. WSU A: 7:44
2. OCU: 8:02
3. WSU C: 8:54
4. WSU B: 8:55

Men's 1x
1. Riesenberg: 9:05
2. Hagen: 9:52

Men's 4+ B
1. WSU A: 8:49
2. WSU B: 8:52
3. OCU: 9:28
4. WSU C: 10:43

Men's crew signs Patrick Hylton and CB Collier

The coaching staff is proud to announce that Patrick Hylton and CB Collier have signed with the Stars for fall 2010.

In a signing ceremony at Norman North High School on Friday, April 23rd, Hylton committed to OCU. Hylton has rowed for two years with the Chesapeake Junior Crew of Oklahoma City Riversports and is excited to join his teammates Blake Marley and Clay Puckett on the OCU Rowing team. Hylton who was in the pre-engineering program at Norman North has not yet decided on his major.

CB Collier, a four year veteran on the Robinson High School crew, is moving from Fairfax, VA to join the Stars. Collier intends on studying physics at OCU.

Women's eight has 8th fastest time at SIRA Championship

The women's varsity eight finished third in a close finish in the petite final of the club, DII, DIII event in the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championship on Sunday, April 18th at Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, TN.

Coxed by Briana Hurley, the crew of Brittni Slattery, Dinah Harjo, Katie Sondag, Sarah Meyer, Megan Duffy, A. Rose Lane, Kathryn Schiro and Jane Imfeld raced three times in a qualifying heat, semifinal and final over the two-day regatta. This was OCU's first appearance at this regatta.

In the petite final on Sunday, OCU rowed the 2000 meter course in 7 minutes, 26 seconds. Although the Stars executed a courageous sprint and edged up a boat length on Marietta in the final 350 meters, Marietta was able to hold onto second place with a time of 7:26. Ohio State won the petite final in 7:21, while Mercyhurst (PA), the overall winner of the event, placed first in the grand final in 6:59.

"Competing and performing at a regional regatta of this size has given OCU the exposure and experience to accomplish great racing at the DAd Vail," OCU women's coach Melanie Borger said. "We are all proud of placing in the petite final and finishing with the eighth fastest time of the event. We will spend the next three weeks building off this weekend's results."

OCU entered the championship regatta seeded ninth and placed second in the qualifying heat on Saturday with a time of 7:03. There were four heats, and the top-three finishers from each heat qualified for the first level semifinals later that afternoon. Beating Charleston, Michigan State, Miami (OH) and Wshington in the heat guaranteed the Stars an entry into the semifinal later that afternoon.

During the afternoon, a cross-tail wind of 10 mph contributed to fast times, and the Stars pulled their fastest time to date of 7:01. OCU came in fourth place, advancing the crew to the petite final with Colorado and Tulane in fifth and sixth. Mercyhurt, Barry (FL) and Florida Tech, who clinched the top three positions in the semi, advanced to the grand final.

A special thanks to Kat Schiro's parents, Julia Branch and Joe Hill, for providing support, food and transportation all weekend. Everything from the grilled salmon to the baked brie and all the trail mix and dried fruit was above and beyond the call of duty. You made the shore of Melton Hill Lake a home.

Devon Boathouse Construction Update

Women row well in Catoosa

The women's team competed against in-state rivals Central Oklahoma and Tulsa on Saturday, April 10th on the Verdigris River, Tulsa's home course.

Racing began with sculling events where each athlete rows with two oars. In the tightest race of the day, in the lightweight women's double, the Golden Hurricanes edged out Sarah Meyer and Jane Imfeld by two seconds as OCU turned in a time of 7 minutes, 38 seconds.

OCU's openweight double of Kathryn Schiro and Hydi Gibson took second place with a time of 7:29. Tulsa took first and third place with a 7:21 and 8:01.

The OCU doubles teamed up to form a quad lineup and finished in 6:40 compared to Tulsa's 6:36.

The late morning continued with sweep- one oar per athlete- racing. Schiro, Gibson and Imfeld joined coxswain Briana Hurley and rowers Brittni Slattery, Dinah Harjo, Katie Sondag, Megan Duffy and A. Rose Lane to compete in the varsity eight event. OCU hung with the highly favored crew from start to finish and crossed the finish line just two strokes after Tulsa, finishing in 6:16.

After four races, Hurley, Sondag, Harjo Duffy and Meyer comprised OCU's crew for the varsity four. Tulsa won with a time of 7:21, followed by Central Oklahoma with a 7:24 and OCU with a 7:42.

"Tulsa is a competitive and successful team." OCU women's rowing coach Melanie Borger said. "We are excited that the program is adding sculling events to their regatta schedule, and that we were able to compete in sculling-specific races against other collegiate athletes. Although not a win, we are proud of our results in the eight." Two week earlier, Tulsa had placed second in the Cal Cup event of the San Diego Crew Classic.

OCU Overwhelms the Bronchos on Oklahoma River

Oklahoma City University's women's rowers won both the four and eight races against Central Oklahoma to take the Stroklahoma Regatta team points trophy Saturday at the Oklahoma River.

In the first race of the day, the eights battled it out for the first 1000 meters of the 2000-meter race course before OCU broke away. The Stars finished with a 10 second lead, clocking 7 minutes, 8 seconds.

The Stars line-up included coxswain Briana Hurley, Brittni Slattery, Katie Sondag, Megan Duffy, Dinah Harjo, Kat Schiro, Hydi Gibson, Rose Lane and Sarah Meyer. UCo's varsity, novice A and novice B crews finished with a 7:18, 7:49 and 8:05 respectively.

During the fours race, UCO's A and B crews had an aggressive start and took an early lead, but OCU rowed through them in the first 250 meters and held a commanding lead to the finish. With Hurley, Slattery, Sondag, Duffy and Harajo, the Stars finished with a time of 8:01, and the Bronchos' A and B crews finished with a time of 8:17 and 8:29 respectively.

Small boats from the OCU crew competed in an intrasquad race to conclude the regatta. Schiro finished first in the single in 8:29, and Gibson and Lane rowed a 8:33 in the pair. In the lightweight single, Jane Imfeld finished with a 8:37 followed by Meyer with a 8:45.

Special thanks to Dave Riesenberg and Urban Market catering for providing a delicious grilled lunch to the athletes and fan of both the OCU and UCO teams.

Steel erection of the Devon Boathouse continued today during the Stroklahoma Regatta between OCU and UCO women's crews. The Devon Boathouse inlet is complete along with the sidewalks along the river's edge.


Spectators and athletes enjoy a meal thanks to the help of Belle Isle Brewery.
OCU women's crew celebrating victory!
Spectators crowding a completed section of the new Boathouse District riverwalk near the Devon Boathouse construction site.
OCU Women's Four take first place.

Stroklahoma this Saturday, April 3rd

In the 2nd Annual Stroklahoma Regatta, OCU will take on crosstown rivals University of Central Oklahoma this Saturday, April 3rd on the Oklahoma River. The 4+'s will race at 10:00 am followed by the 8+'s at 10:30 am. The Stars are coming off a successful showing and 4 medals at Heart of Texas Regatta in Austin last month, and the Bronchos have just returned from the San Diego Crew Classic. Last year at the Inaugural Stroklahoma Regatta, the Star's won the 2- and the 4+ and earned the overall points trophy while the Bronchos won the 8+. "UCO is a strong and powerful crew with a lot of recent race experience, but the OCU women are ready to continue their winning tradition in the 4+ and show power in the 8+."

Spectators, fans and families can join the athletes for an Urban Market catered lunch at 11:00 am on the lawn and deck of the Chesapeake Boathouse. Lunch is $7 and will include a grilled chicken or hamburger sandwich, pasta salad, ceasar salad, chips, large cookie and iced tea. Please join us for a beautfiul spring day of racing on the Oklahoma River.

Stars Visit the Construction Site of Their Future Boathouse

Puckett signs with the Stars

The OCU Rowing team announced on March 2nd that Clayton Puckett has signed with the Stars for fall of 2010. Puckett rows with Oklahoma City Junior Rowing at the Chesapeake Boathouse in downtown Oklahoma City. His fellow teammates, Blake Marley, signed on February 25th.

At a signing ceremony at Edmond Memorial High School, Clay Puckett committed to OCU. Last spring, Puckett rowed in the Men's Youth four which placed second at the Regional Championship in Austin, Texas qualifying his crew for the USRowing Youth National Championship in Cincinnati, Ohio where they placed 5th in the petit final. Puckett intends on studying physics or another natural science.

Head Coach Mike Knopp said, Blake and Clay are not only talented rowers but exceptional young men. We are proud that we are able to recruit top quality student-athletes from our local Oklahoma City Junior Rowing program onto the OCU collegiate team. Their homegrown rowing background is testament to the quality of the rowing programs in Oklahoma City."