OU Rowing Celebrates Season at Banquet

NORMAN – The Oklahoma rowing team celebrated the 2016-17 season on Sunday afternoon at the annual spring banquet, held inside the Courtside Club at Lloyd Noble Center.

OU head coach Leeanne Crain and her staff welcomed family, friends and staff at the event and presented awards to specific rowers and the seniors.

Senior Victoria Wallace and junior Francesca Bratt were recognized as the Most Valuable Varsity Rowers. Both have played vital roles in the success of the first and second varsity eights. Junior coxswain Rubie Hays was presented the Most Inspirational Varsity award for her constant positive spirit throughout the season.

Carlijn Hutter was awarded the Most Outanding Freshman award for her efforts in stroking the first varsity eight throughout the season. Katie Ognovich earned the Crimson Hammer, which is given to the rower with the lowest erg 2K score in the season, for the third straight year.

Senior Taylor Spencer was named the Senior Student-Athlete of the Year as she finishes college with a degree in professional writing.

Two novice rowers were also recognized at the banquet. Freshman Amy Pasque was named Most Outstanding Novice, and Louise Kuehster was presented the Most Inspirational Novice award.

Seniors Taylor Arnold, Victoria Baker, Stephanie Busse, Nicasia D'Allesandro, Natalie Grimes, Hannah Kloppenburg, Maegan Neihart, Spencer and Wallace were presented their senior awards.

The Sooners are back in action for the start of postseason this Saturday and Sunday, May 13-14, for the Big 12 Championship in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

AWARDS

MVP - Varsity: Victoria Wallace and Francesca Bratt
Most Inspirational - Varsity: Rubie Hays
Crimson Hammer: Katie Ognovich
Senior Student-Athlete: Taylor Spencer
MVP - Novice: Amy Pasque
Most Inspirational - Novice: Louise Kuehster