OU Earns C-USA Boat Of The Week

May 1, 2012

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma varsity eight was named Conference USA's Boat of the Week on May 1. This is the second time the OU varsity eight has received this honor during the Spring 2012 season. The lineup of coxswain Carly Schueler, Nicole Bladow, Ivy Brown, Rebecca Staff, Brooke Sheppard, Kristin Clift, Nikki Furmanek, Kellie O'Reilly and Meghan Farrell ended Big 12 Conference competition undefeated as they closed out the regular season at the first fully-sponsored Big 12 Rowing Championship in Oklahoma City.

Last Saturday, the Sooners defeated their Big 12 opponents, crossing the line in 6:53.58 to top Texas who finished with a time of (6:54.03), Kansas State (7:09.35) and Kansas (7:13.90). Oklahoma concluded the day with 104 points just one point shy of Texas at 105 points, while Kansas and Kansas State ended the day with 64 points each.

Five members of the first varsity eight also received All-Big 12 honors. Carly Schueler, Rebecca Staff and Nikki Furmanek were named All-Big 12 First Team and Nicole Bladow and Meghan Farrell were named All-Big 12 Second Team.

The first varsity eight received Conference USA's first Boat of the Week honor on March 20. The boat also claimed the Big 12's first ever Boat of the Month award for March and earned the No. 1 seed at the San Diego Crew Classic in April.

Oklahoma is now preparing for the Conference USA Championship to be held on May 12 in Oakridge, Tenn. Other C-USA teams include Texas, Kansas, Kansas State, Tennessee, Alabama, Central Florida, Tulsa, and SMU.

Collegiate Eight

Varsity
Cox: Carly Schueler
Stroke: Nicole Bladow
7: Ivy Brown
6: Rebecca Staff
5: Brooke Sheppard
4: Kristin Clift
3: Nikki Furmanek
2: Kellie O'Reilly
Bow: Meghan Farrell