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!