Sooners Start Season Strong in OKC

Saturday, October 5

Oklahoma City, Okla.

University of Oklahoma

Head of the Oklahoma

October 05, 2019 | Rowing

Full Results

Women's Collegiate 8+
5.	Oklahoma A	14:18.26
9.	Oklahoma B	14:33.89
16.	Oklahoma C	15:42.31

Women's Collegiate 4+
1.	Oklahoma B	15:24.81
3.	Oklahoma A	15:25.42
14.	Oklahoma C	16:06.11
15.	Oklahoma D	16:07.03

Women's Collegiate 8+ 500m Grand Final
2.	Oklahoma A	1:28.48

NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma rowing team returned to the water for the first time of the 2019-20 season on Saturday in Oklahoma City at the Head of the Oklahoma.

The day was highlighted by a victory by Oklahoma's B boat in the collegiate 4+ competition this afternoon. The Sooners collected four top-five finishes on the day and capped their season opener with a second-place spot in the evening's night sprints 8+ grand final.

"We didn't race particularly well in the morning," said OU head coach Leeanne Crain. "I thought we were just too conservative and didn't rise to the challenge of racing with enough intensity.

"I thought the team did a great job of coming out more focused in the afternoon and that resulted in two top-three finishes." - Leeanne Crain

"Our main focus this early in the year is simply finding a way to improve a little every day. If we can stay committed to that one thing, we'll be on track to reach our long-range goals."

In the first race of the day, the collegiate eights competition, OU's A boat brought home a fifth-place finish. The margin between second and fifth place was just 13 seconds. OU's B boat placed ninth in 14:33.89, while Oklahoma C finished 16th in 15:42.31.

The afternoon portion of racing featured the fours competition, with four OU boats on the water. Oklahoma B led the way for the Sooners, winning the race in 15:24.81 over 28 other collegiate competitors.

The Sooners A boat placed third, finishing less than a second out of second in 15:25.42. OU's C and D boats finished 14th and 15th, respectively, in 16:06.11 and 16:07.03.

Capping the women's collegiate racing on Saturday were the OG&E Night Sprints. The Sooners concluded the day with a second-place finish in the 500m 8+ Grand Final, crossing the line in 1:28.48.

The team returns to action on Oct. 20 for racing in Lawrence, Kan., and Boston, Mass.

Those traveling to Lawrence will compete at the Jayhawk Jamboree, held on the Kansas River at Burcham Park. At last year's Jayhawk Jamboree, the Sooners had a solid showing, bringing home four medal finishes in the 1V8, 1V4 and 1N8 racing.

The rest of the team will compete at the renowned Head of the Charles in Boston on Oct. 20 at 8 a.m. CT. The Sooners return to Boston for the regatta for the first time since 2012.

For more information on Oklahoma Rowing, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Rowing).

OU LINEUPS

Collegiate 8+

Oklahoma A

C: Riley O'Neill
S: Sadie Pilz
7: Breah McKay
6: Erin Steele
5: Sophie Salt
4: Rachel Della Valle
3: Hailey Mercuri
2: Maria Pergouli
B: Amy Pasque