Rowing Welcomes 2018 Class

NORMAN — University of Oklahoma head rowing coach Leeanne Crain announced Tuesday the signing of 14 student-athletes who will join the Sooners in fall 2018.

The talented class features accomplished athletes from across the globe who have exhibited success at the state, national and international levels.

"This is one of the largest, most talented classes we've recruited in the history of the program. We are excited to welcome each and every one of our recruits to the Sooner family and look forward to seeing the impact they make in the coming years," Crain said. "It's a diverse group with a lot of potential and it will be fun to watch them develop and grow with the program as we strive to reach new heights."

The Oklahoma rowing team will open their fall season at the beginning of October.

KRISTEN ALLMAN

Stow, Ohio | Walsh Jesuit High School

Previously attended Ohio State University
Cleveland Youth Rowing Association

Why Allman chose the University of Oklahoma:
“I chose the University of Oklahoma largely because of the people I met while I visited. From coaches to administrators and advisors, people were kind and helpful along the way. I am excited to be a student-athlete at the university because of the opportunities that it offers both academically and athletically.”

FRAUKE BERGER

Sehnde, Germany | Sehnde Cooperative Comprehensive School

Rowing Club of Sehnde
2018 European University Sports Association Championships participant (W4-)
2017 European Rowing U23 Championships participant (W8+)

Why Berger chose the University of Oklahoma:
“OU has a good, organized, and well-coordinated study and athletic training environment, which will help me to study and practice in rowing in a very efficient and successful way. The training conditions and places and localities to study will please me very much. The large women's rowing team will give me a good community and the opportunity to build a successful rowing boat squad and have success together in regattas and to train under good conditions.”

EVELINA BUTRIMAVICIUTE

Trakai, Lithuania | Trakai Vytautas Magnus

2017 World Rowing Junior Championships participant (W4x)
2016 World Rowing Junior Championships participant (W2x)

Why Butrimaviciute chose the University of Oklahoma:
“I chose this university because it creates opportunity for me to achieve so much as a person.”

SYLVIA CROSIO

Crosio

Torino, Italy

2018 World Rowing Junior Championships participant (Gold medalist, LW2x)
2017 World Rowing Junior Championships participant (W2x)

RACHEL DELLA VALLE

Della Valle

Welland, Ontario, Canada | Welland Centennial Secondary School

South Niagara Rowing Club
2017 Club Nationals participant (U19 W4x)
2017 Row Ontario Championships participant (U19 W4x, U23 W4x)
2017 Royal Canadian Henley participant (U19 W2x, U19 W4x)

Why Della Valle chose the University of Oklahoma:
“I chose the University of Oklahoma because of the impressive coaching staff. It was a very welcoming staff and team and I think it is going to be somewhere where I can really grow. I also loved the campus; the school really does everything they can to make sure the athletes have the opportunity to succeed in their sport as well as their academics, which is important to me.”

HANNAH HASSIEN

Hassien

Ojai, Calif. | Red Barn Academy

Lake Casitas Rowing Association

Why Hassien chose the University of Oklahoma:
“I loved everything the University of Oklahoma had to offer academically and athletically.”

SERAFINA KING

King

Santa Monica, Calif. | Santa Monica HS

American record holder, Paralympic swimming (100 meters, 50 meters backstroke)
Bronze medalist at ParaPan Am Games and ParaPan Pacific Games

Why King chose the University of Oklahoma:
“I know the job I want for the rest of my life and that job is only found in Los Angeles, that means I will never know anywhere else other than the place I grew up. I knew it was time for a change and I wanted to experience someplace new before I settled down in California. Oklahoma is completely different, in a good way, from Los Angeles and that's what I was looking for. As an elite Paralympic swimmer I had seen some incredible training facilities and coaching techniques, Oklahoma surpasses them all. Their training program and facilities are world class. I always know when I find a good training facility and program for myself when I just can't wait to go into the weight room. I immediately got that feeling when I saw where their athletes trained. They put some much time and effort into their athletes and helping them succeed. I couldn't wait to start my new journey as a rower for the Sooners.”

CASSIDY MULLIGAN

Mulligan

Norman, Okla. | Norman North HS

Oklahoma City Riversport
2018 U.S. Rowing Youth Nationals participant (WL4+)
2018 Central Youth Championships participant (Gold medalist, LW2x)
2017 Head of the Charles participant (WV8)
2017 U.S. Rowing Youth Nationals participant (WL4+)

Why Mulligan chose the University of Oklahoma:
“When I went on my official, I was impressed with all of the facilities and the equipment that Oklahoma had to offer. The coaches were easy to talk to and driven; the girls that hosted me made me feel like part of the team. I left my visit knowing I belonged at OU and I had to go there.”

ELLA POLJAK

Poljak

Huntington Beach, Calif. | Coast High School

Newport Seabase Rowing
2017 San Diego Fall Classic participant (First place, Junior 1x; Third place, Junior 4+ (Stroke seat))
2017 Desert Sprints participant (First place, Junior 1x; First place, Junior 2x)
2017 Faultline Faceoff participant (Second place, Varsity 2x)
2016 Club Nationals participant (Intermediate 4x)

Why Poljak chose the University of Oklahoma:
“I chose OU because it felt the most like home. The coaching staff and athletes truly welcomed me with open arms on my visit and gave me a taste of what my life will be like for the next few years. I want to be a part of this team because I feel as if I will fit in with the girls who make the most of their campus life and continue to work hard individually and as a group.”

JESSICA ROBINSON

Robinson

Sydney, Australia | Queenwood School for Girls

Sydney Uni Boat Club
2018 3x Nationals medalist (Australian Rowing)
2018 2x State medalist (NSW Rowing)
2017 2x Nationals medalist (Australian Rowing)
2017 3x State medalist (NSW Rowing)

Why Robinson chose the University of Oklahoma:
“I chose OU because of their great rowing program, amazing facilities, and the opportunity to study abroad.”

ANNIKA SMITH

Smith

Los Angeles, Calif. | Notre Dame HS

California Yacht Club
2018 Southwest Regional Championships participant
2018 Long Beach Invitational participant (Bronze medalist, N4x)
2017 Head of the Marina participant (Gold medalist, N4x)

Why Smith chose the University of Oklahoma:
“I chose the University of Oklahoma because of the amazing school pride and community. When I visited, I felt so supported and welcomed by the coaches and students. I loved everything I saw, the people I met, and the amazing opportunities OU offered. I'm so excited to be a Sooner and to call OU home.”

ERIN STEELE

Steele

Chilliwack, British Columbia | University of the Fraser Valley

2018 University of the Fraser Valley Women's MVP
2018 Western Canadian Championships participant (W2-)
2018 Mainland Indoor Rowing Championships participant (Gold medalist)
2018 Head of the Fort participant (Gold medalist, W1x)

Why Steele chose the University of Oklahoma:
“Everyone I met on my official visit was extremely welcoming and supportive showing me the athletic facilities and academic support OU has to offer. OU's women's rowing program has the talent and resources required for achieving high-level performance in pursuit of top finishes at the Big 12 and NCAA championships. Leeanne (Crain) and Guillermo (Lemus) have a proven track record and are fully invested in building well-rounded student-athletes with the support from other athletics and OU staff. I am grateful for this incredible opportunity and excited to compete as an athlete for OU.”

NICOLE VIVIANI

Viviani

Santa Monica, Calif. | Santa Monica High School

California Yacht Club
2017 U18 U.S. Rowing High-Performance Team member
2017 Long Beach Invitationals participant
2017 Canadian Henley participant (Fifth place, Junior W4+)
2016 Head of the Charles participant (Sixth place, Junior W4+)
2016 Junior National Rowing Development Camp participant

Why Viviani chose the University of Oklahoma:
“I chose the University of Oklahoma because of its high ranking in student-athletes and the endless amount of resources given to them. The University of Oklahoma has the training and facilities available for me to exceed my aspirations athletically and academically.”

ANNIKA WEBER

Weber

Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany | Karl-Ziegler Gymnasium

2018 German Championships participant (Seventh place, SF1x B)
2017 German Championships participant (First place, 8+ U19; Third place, 2-)
2016 German Championships participant (Fourth place, 4x-, 2x U19)
2015 German Championships participant (Second place, 2x U17)

Why Weber chose the University of Oklahoma:
“It's a great opportunity to study in the USA and when I visited the university and the rowing team, I felt right at home. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to choose OU.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics