Completed Event: Rowing versus Head of the Oklahoma on October 4, 2025
Final
Rowing
vs Head of the Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Rowing Adds 10 to 2013 Class
April 25, 2013 | Rowing
April 25, 2013
| Signee | Hometown | High School |
| Natalie Grimes | Tustin, Calif. | Foothill High School |
| Madison Wullschleger | Edmond, Okla. | Memorial High School |
| Victoria Baker | Dibble, Okla. | Dibble High School |
| Stephanie Busse | Bird City, Kan. | Cheylin High School |
| Megan Conner | Friendswood, Texas | Clear Brook High School |
| Madison Farris | Edmond, Okla. | Memorial High School |
| Madison Heidenburg | Shawnee, Kan. | Shawnee Mission West High School |
| Courtney Payne | Edmond, Okla. | OK Christian Academy |
| Katelyn Shackelford | Southlake, Texas | Carroll Senior High School |
| Taylor Spencer | Harrisonville, Mo. | Harrisonville High School |
"This signing class is exceptional," Crain said. "The addition of the spring signees has us bringing in our largest recruited class since the start of the program in 2008. Natalie and Maddie come from two of the most successful junior programs in the country where they've received great coaching and have gained a lot of experience competing at a high level. Our recruited walk-ons will help add speed to our novice squad and all have the athletic potential to make an impact in our varsity program in future years."
 From Tustin, Calif., Grimes attended Foothill High School and has rowed for two years at Newport Aquatic Center. At the Southwest Regionals in 2012, she finished in third place in the novice eight and in sixth place in the varsity eight. At the Head of the American, she helped her crew finished first in the varsity eight in 2012 and in the novice eight in 2011. "Natalie came to rowing a little later in her high school career," Gartin said. "Only her second year rowing she has quickly developed into one of Newport Aquatic Center's top rowers. Her progress has coincided with her team's return to one of the top west coast teams clearly seen in their first place finish at the Head of the American. We are really looking forward to helping her continue her rapid development." Why I Chose the University of Oklahoma: "I immediately felt at home on campus and with the team. The coaches are some of the best in the country, and I know their knowledge and experience will not only bring out the best in myself but also take this program to new heights. The athletic and academic support from the university is unlike anything else, and I cannot wait to be a part of it and see what is to come for the Sooners!"
Wullschleger was born in Somers Point, N.J., but lives in Edmond, Okla., and comes to OU with several years of rowing experience at OKC Riversport. Her athletic highlights on the water include winning the quad event at the Head of the Hooch in 2011, finishing fourth at the 2012 Head of the Charles. This season, she came in fifth at the San Diego Crew Classic. In the classroom at Memorial High School, she earned a 4.0 this year. "Maddie has been a strong part of the rise and speed of the Oklahoma City Riversport Junior crews," Gartin said. "Coming off a great 2012 fall season, including a 4th place finish in the youth eight at the Head of the Charles, Maddie is poised to have an exciting 2013 season and springboard right into OU rowing. We are really excited to see that the best rowers in Oklahoma like Maddie are choosing to come to OU!" Why I Chose the University of Oklahoma: "I chose the University of Oklahoma because I felt like I would be the happiest here. I felt so comfortable walking around campus and I know that I will have a lot of fun. Also, the football games are awesome!"
Baker, from Dibble, Okla., is a highly-accomplished basketball player. She is a two-time All-Conference team member and was named to the All-Tournament team in 2011 and '12. Her high school team was crowned Big 8 Conference Champions this season. Baker is a valedictorian and a National Honor Society President at Dibble High School. A basketball athlete, Victoria has shown leadership both on the court and in her community," Gartin said. "A standout basketball player with All-Conference and All-Tournament awards, she is also a strong student leader creating a fund raiser for the victims of Newtown, Conn., raising over $1000 as well as class valedictorian. It is these character traits that allow us to know Victoria will be a great addition to the OU Rowing program." Why I Chose the University of Oklahoma: "I chose the University of Oklahoma because I was presented with a God-given opportunity that was too hard to pass up. I have always dreamed of playing Division I sports and this was my golden opportunity. Of course academics come first, and OU has an outstanding speech pathology program."
A Bird City, Kan., native, Busse comes to OU after lettering in both basketball and volleyball all four years in high school. A Kansas Super Six honorable mention selection in 2011-12 in basketball, she set nine school records on the volleyball court and finished in 14th place at the state cross country meet in 2009. She is the valedictorian at Cheylin High School and was on the high honor roll for four years in addition to being a member of the National Honor Society. "A multi-sport athlete, Stephanie is a great addition to the freshman squad," Gartin said. "Her track background will serve her well understanding the workouts and having a solid aerobic base. Her accomplishments in her other sports including All-State Basketball Honorable Mention and multiple school records certainly speaks to her effort to be one of the best." Why I Chose the University of Oklahoma: "I chose Oklahoma because of the tradition. I could tell that people were excited to be there. The coaches and student-athletes really believe in what they are doing, and I wanted to be a part of that."
Conner comes to Oklahoma from Friendswood, Texas, where she was a standout basketball and track athlete. In addition to being a the academic all-district basketball selection three years in high school, she is a two-time All-District honorable mention team member, was the varsity basketball team captain for two season and qualified for regionals in the 4x400 twice. She is a National Honor Society honoree at Clear Brook High School. "Megan is a dual-sport athlete who clearly excels at both basketball and track," Gartin said. "As basketball team captain she has earned Honorable Mention All-District while on the track she is a regional qualifier in the 4x400m. Coming from a multi-sport background, Megan will adapt well as she is prepared for the physical work while she understands that great teams take effort by each teammate being a leader." Why I Chose the University of Oklahoma: "I chose OU because of the opportunities afforded to student athletes in both the academic curriculum and legal community. I also am excited about exploring a new athletic challenge within the rowing the community. The overall supportive environment and dedicated coaching staff made this decision easy."
A native of nearby Edmond, Okla., Farris comes to OU after many accomplishments on the volleyball court. She competed in the Junior National Volleyball Championship Tournament and helped her high school team finish second in the 2012 6A State Championship. Additionally, she was awarded All-Tournament honors at the Battle of the Fort Tournament this season. She is an honor roll student at Memorial High School. "A volleyball player, Madison brings the athleticism and experience in helping her teams reach the state championship game," Gartin said. "That experience gained in reaching for that level of success will be a great addition to the rapidly rising expectations of the OU Rowing program." Why I Chose the University of Oklahoma: "I always knew deep down that I wanted to go to the University of Oklahoma. Given the opportunity to be a part of the rowing program was just the cherry on top. After seeing everything OU had to offer athletically, academically and meeting some of the girls on the team, I knew that this was the place that I wanted to further my education."
Heidenburg comes to Oklahoma from Shawnee, Kan. A three-sport athlete in volleyball, soccer and track, she was a state qualifier in the 4x800 her first year on the track and field team. She has been on the honor roll all four years at Shawnee Mission West High School and has been a National Honor Society member for two years. "Maddie is a soccer, volleyball and track athlete who also is a highly successful student," Gartin said. "A state qualifier in the 4x800m she is coming into the rowing program with a strong understanding of the effort level required to reach and be successful at a championship level. Her success off the field includes a 4.0 GPA and a member of the National Honor Society. She is a great addition to OU Rowing as both a strong student and driven athlete." Why I Chose the University of Oklahoma: "I chose OU for many reason. A lot of people told me that when I found the right college, that I would just know. When I stepped onto the OU campus I understood exactly what they meant. The campus is absolutely beautiful and very friendly. The academics are strong and well respected. I also believe that the rowing program at OU is incredible, and it is something that I am completely honored to be a part of next fall. The coaches and the team are like family to each other and I loved all the dedication and hard work that the student-athletes have. I cannot even express my excitement to become a Sooner!!"
From nearby Edmond, Okla., Payne is an accomplished softball and basketball player and has been on several championship-caliber teams. In addition to helping her team win the Class B Fastpitch Softball District Championship in 2010 and '11, she was a member of the runner-up teams at the Dover Basketball Tournament in 2010 and '11. At OK Christian Academy, she was a Girls Got Game/ NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete 2009, finished third in her class last year and is the 2013 class valedictorian. "A basketball and softball athlete, Courtney is the great balance of both the student and athlete," Gartin said. "She has earned two District softball championships while being named her class valedictorian. She clearly fits the model of the OU Rowing student-athlete. Coming from an OU family, Courtney was already part of the Sooner family before she was welcomed to OU Rowing." Why I Chose the University of Oklahoma: "I chose OU so I could be part of Oklahoma's long tradition of excellence both athletically and academically. I was born and raised a Sooner fan and dreamed of one day being a Sooner myself. I dreamed of wearing the crimson and cream not only as a student and a fan but also as an athlete. I chose OU to show my friends and fellow student-athletes at my school of 200 students that even from a small school big dreams are possible and can come in unexpected ways. The University of Oklahoma was the right fit for me and there is none other like it and they speak the truth in saying, There's Only One Oklahoma!"
Shackelford is from Southlake, Texas, and brings a highly successful swimming and water polo career to OU. She competed on the varsity squad and made the All-District/All-Region team all four years on the swim team in addition to qualifying for the Junior National Relay team. In water polo, she was selected to the All-District/All-Region team. At Carroll Senior High School, Shackelford earned the Dragon Aquatic Scholar Award all four years and spent multiple years in the Math Honors Program. "Katie is a two-sport athlete in the pool with water polo and swimming," Gartin said. "She joins a number of other hardworking student-athletes from the Dallas area who are choosing to row at Oklahoma. She brings to OU the experience and physical conditioning from the competitive pools of Texas swimming. We are excited to have her join the OU Rowing program." Why I Chose the University of Oklahoma: "I chose the University of Oklahoma because when I stepped onto campus for the first time I felt like I was home. OU is a perfect match for me. The strength of the academic programs as well as their outstanding Elementary Education program ensures I will graduate with a degree recognized and respected by everyone in the education field. The University of Oklahoma's commitment to academics and the opportunity to join the OU rowing team allows me to obtain a quality education while fulfilling my desire to perform athletically at the highest collegiate level."
A native of Harrisonville, Mo., Spencer earned four varsity letters in both soccer and swimming and three letters in volleyball at Harrisonville High School. She qualified for the Missouri State High School meet twice in the 100 butterfly and was an All-State Honorable Mention this season. On the soccer field, she was named to the first team All-District squad. Spencer is a National Honor Society member. "Taylor is a multi-sport athlete on the field, in the gym and in the water," Gartin said. "A State level swimmer as well as a strong defender on the pitch, she will bring a unique set of skills to the OU rowing team. Her swimming background will certainly help with the workouts and understanding their structure. On the other hand her soccer and volleyball experience will be an asset in working with her rowing teammates." Why I Chose the University of Oklahoma: "I chose the University of Oklahoma due to its long tradition of excellence in both the classroom and on the playing field. I look forward to being a part of the OU rowing team and taking on a new athletic challenge while receiving an excellent education." |
Finished first at the Head of the American in 2012 in the varsity eight and 2011 in the novice eight
Sunday, May 10
Sunday, May 14
Sunday, May 15
Saturday, May 15
