Backseat Drivers

They sit in the stern of a racing shell and face the rowers. They're tiny but have a BIG voice. They're coxswains, and according to the OU rowers, they're the most underappreciated athlete in a boat.

A coxswain helps steer, makes calls during a race and acts as an in-boat coach to a crew to guide it to the finish line. To celebrate Coxswain Appreciation Week in the rowing world, our student-athletes took time to give some love to their smallest teammates.

NICASIA D'ALLESANDRO - First Varsity Eight

Nicasia D'Allesandro

Maegan Neihart

"Nicasia is amazing. The thing that I love about her most is that she is so competitive and will do whatever it takes to win. She is weirdly good, like almost has no flaws in her coxing. Her style resonates with everyone, and being in her boat makes you want to pull really hard and get the win for her. I'm obsessed with the calls that she makes during races. She knows exactly what to say and has impeccable timing, which is the difference between winning or losing a race. She has all of the components of urgency with the intensity in her voice, but she also has this sense of calm come together when you race with her. Nicasia has been so important to the 1V8 this year."

Kalie Heffernan

"Nic's personality is exacting, cajoling, determined and assertive in the boat because she is the one in charge and she knows it. It is her responsibility to get us down the course as fast as possible, so she has to be able to stroke and slap us to get those results. She's a very different person outside of the boat like most coxswains. It's like she has an 'off-on' switch from her mild-mannered self to full out coxing mode and a dial to get to the right level needed for practice and races."

RUBIE HAYS - Second Varsity Eight

Rubie Hays

Victoria Wallace

"Rubie is an amazing start to my day. She was recently voted most inspirational by her teammates, and that is the most appropriate award for Rubie. She is always looking on the brighter side of difficult situations, and she consistently wishes the best for her teammates. I have thoroughly enjoyed having Rubie as a coxswain this season."

Miranda Rauner

"Rubie is one of the sweetest people I know. She is always so encouraging and full of joy. She was my very first coxswain to race with my novice year, and her coxing voice surprised me so much! I didn't know such a small, sweet human could sound so intimidating. I love Rubie's coxing becuase she gets into the race and really knows how to get us fired up becuse she wants to win just as badly as we do."

Elena Sloan

"Even when Rubie isn't having a good day she tries to bring everyone else up with her. She offers to bring food to people between finals and genuinely wants everyone to to have the best time possible in their daily lives. As a coxswain she is the loudest and most aggressive little person. She seems like a kitten, but on the water she's a mountain lion.

TAYLOR ARNOLD - First Varsity Four

Taylor Arnold

Melissa Patten

"What Taylor does that motivates me is that she shows up to practice every single morning and she's ready to go. A big misconception is that coxswains don't have as much of a time or energy commitment as the rowers, but I think Taylor does just as much as we do. This past year Taylor completed her first year in a master's program as well as trained for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. She inspires me to constantly push for more and do the best I can, both on the water and in the classroom."

Nina Chism

"Although she can be stern, she always tries to make sure our boat is having fun and is relaxed. I think her personality in and out of the boat is the same. Not only does Taylor care about how you are doing in practice, but she also cares outside of practice. For many of us, this team is like our second family, and Taylor really contributes to this feeling by asking how we are. I don't know how she does it but when you're stressed about homework, practice or life in general she always finds a way to keep you relaxed and to make you smile."

EMILY COFFMAN - Second Varsity Four

Emily Coffman

Amy Pasque

"Emily has a driven and motivated personality that is always positive and looking to push our boat to be better. She has a fun-loving attitude outside the boat but is a determined go getter in the boat .One thing that gets me every time when we are in a race is when you hear her call, 'you're walking' on another boat. This call signifies that our boat is passing or closing distance in on a boat. It brings out a whole other level within you that allows you to push through all pain."

Cara Hoelzl

"I like Emily because she always goes the extra mile both on and off the water. She is competitive and won't back down. She wants to cross the finish line first just as much as we do, and she always does her part to make that happen. Emily is awesome!"

PEGGY MCLENNA - Third Varsity Eight

Peggy McLenna

Hannah Scholl

"Peggy is from Jersey if that tells you anything about her personality. She's outspoken, strong-willed and not afraid to hurt anyone's feelings. In the boat this makes for a great coxswain because she calls people out when their technique is lacking, has zero tolerance for shenanigans, is 100 percent the boss of her boat and communicates well with us and with other boats."

Stephanie Busse

"Peggy is firey! Both in and outside of the boat she has a big and unapologetic personality. She's tough as nails and expects a lot from each of us, but off the water she is super kind and loving. I appreciate how Peggy knows when to be fun and keep the mood light, but when it's race time she can turn up the focus."