Future Sooner Wins at Nationals

June 12, 2009

NORMAN, Okla.-- University of Oklahoma rowing incoming freshman Rebecca Staff finished first at the Canadian National Junior Trials in Welland, Ontario.

The first race for Staff was a time trial, where she came in fourth overall with a time of eight minutes, 35.6 seconds. Staff then finished first in the semifinal by 1.4 seconds, giving her the third fastest time in the semifinal heats and advancing her to the "A" final.

Staff began the final battling a strong headwind but had the lead at the 500 meter mark, and continued to increase her lead. By the 1000 meter mark Staff was in open water but felt strong competition towards the end of the race. Staff maintained the lead and won the race by .04 seconds finishing with a time of 9:27.14.

"Winning Canadian National Junior Trials was one of the best moments of my life," Staff said. "It was something that I really had to work for and earn. The other girls definitely did not make it easy."

Staff has been living in Tempe, Ariz., for the past 10 years and has been competing for the Tempe Junior Rowing Club for the past two years.

Staff and incoming freshman Megan Farrell, Heather House, Abbey LaFollette, Ashley LaFollette and Sara Sherrer compete in the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championships June 12-14 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Staff, Ferrell and House are competing in the women's quad, the LaFollette twins are racing in the women's eight competition and Sherrer is racing in women's pair.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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