Hutter Named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

NORMAN – Oklahoma's Carlijn Hutter was named the 2017 Big 12 Rowing Newcomer of the Year, the conference announced Monday.

Hutter was an integral part of the Sooners' success this season, competing as the stroke seat of the first varsity eight in all four spring races as a freshman. The crew took second in its division at the 2017 Big 12 Championship, which propelled Oklahoma to a second-place finish as a team at the regatta.

The Utrecht, The Netherlands, native was named to the All-Big 12 Team for her efforts in the Big 12 Championship and was awarded the team's Most Outstanding Freshman honor at the annual rowing banquet earlier this month.

"Carlijn has really helped raise the bar on our team from a competitive standpoint," OU Head Coach Leeanne Crain said. "She easily stepped into the role of stroking the first varsity eight. She is laid back and easy going, but in the boat she is focused, disciplined and a fierce competitor."

Hutter is the second Sooner to win Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors, joining Kellie O'Reilly (2012). The Sooners have earned four Big 12 Rower of the Year accolades and head coach Leeanne Crain has been named the coach of the year three times.