NORMAN, Okla. – Reigning Big 12 champion Oklahoma rowing will seek to defend its conference crown on its home course in Oklahoma City at the Big 12 Championship on Saturday, May 3.

"We're excited about hosting the Big 12 Championship and looking forward to giving our fans the opportunity to see us race on our home course," said OU head coach Leeanne Crain. "We've had great support this season on the road, but it's always special to race at home."

Oklahoma will compete against the Longhorns, Kansas, Kansas State and West Virginia starting with the fourth varsity eight race at 10 a.m. CT on the Oklahoma River. Six races will be held with starts 15 minutes apart, culminating in the first varsity eight race scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Points are awarded in each race according to finish; however, the majority of points up for grabs are in the first varsity eight and second varsity eight races.

Admission is free with seating available at the finish line at the base of the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower on the Oklahoma River. Fans can also follow the action on Twitter by following @OU_Rowing. The regatta will be broadcast on FOX Sports Southwest and FOX Sports Oklahoma on tape delay on multiple occasions beginning Wednesday, May 7. For complete broadcast dates, click here.

Last year at Kansas, the Sooners won their first conference title in program history behind first-place finishes from the varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four. OU scored 136 points, besting Texas in second with 117. Oklahoma finished the season ranked No. 17 in the country, its highest ranking ever.

Competing in just their sixth season as a varsity sport, the Sooners will be in contention for another championship ring. OU boats have already defeated Texas at two different regattas this spring in addition to wins over Kansas at the Longhorn Invitational. Come Saturday, however, only the six races before the Sooners will matter.

"We faced some weather challenges in the early season and lost some valuable water time in February and March," Crain said. "The team has done a great job of maintaining focus and we've continued to make great strides and are confident that we're continuing to gain speed as we enter our conference championship segment. The competition within the Big 12 is really good this year and we're anticipating some very close racing in all six events. It should be an exciting weekend of racing."

Big 12 Championship Schedule (all times listed are Central):
10 a.m. - Fourth Varsity Eight
10:15 a.m. - Third Varsity Eight
10:30 a.m. - Second Varsity Four
10:45 a.m. - First Varsity Four
11 a.m. - Second Varsity Eight
11:15 a.m. - First Varsity Eight

First Varsity 8
Rower		Position
	Ashley Carpenter	C
	Heather Morris	S
	Marilyn Kozlowski	7
	Kristin Clift	6
	Emmie Preskitt	5
	Kellie O'Reilly	4
	Victoria Wallace	3
	Kim Moldenhauer	2
	Reagan Collins	1

First Varsity 4
Rower		Position
	Lindsey McClure	C
	Abbie Seremek	S
	Megan Szukala	3
	Jennifer Franklin	2
	Maegan Neihart	1

Third Varsity 8
Rower		Position
	Jade Nelson	C
	Stephanie Busse	S
	Dale Main	7
	Belle Stixrood	6
	Taylor Gillespie	5
	Markayla Adam	4
	Hallie Robertson	3
	Stephanie Tapke	2
	Taylor Spencer	1

Second Varsity 8
Rower		Position
	Nicasia D'Allesandro	C
	Laura Combs	S
	Rachel Cantrell	7
	Natalie Grimes	6
	Daisy Beals	5
	Megan Quinn	4
	Callie Kinsey	3
	Jenny O'Grady	2
	Marissa Beene	1

Second Varsity 4
Rower		Position
	Ashley Middaugh	C
	Cassie Preskitt	S
	Angela Thompson-Butler	3
	Hannah Kloppenburg	2
	Allison Kwiecinski	1

Fourth Varsity 8
Rower		Position
	Haleigh McAnally	C
	Shelby Sarantakos	S
	Anna Trammell	7
	Victoria Baker	6
	Megan Rolke	5
	Erin Yeo	4
	Jalyn Yeakley	3
	Christianna Isaacs	2
	Elizabeth Vernon	1