"We're excited about our first fall head race and it's always special to be able to race at home in front of our fans," said OU head coach Leeanne Crain. "We'll face some great competition this weekend with Clemson returning to the race and a lot of great teams in the region who will provide a challenge for us."
The defending Big 12 and Conference USA champions will compete against Texas, Kansas, Kansas State, Tulsa, Wichita State, Eastern Michigan, Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University in addition to Clemson, which finished No. 18 in the nation last season.OU will compete two boats in the varsity eight race at 12:30 p.m. CT, with the novice four racing at 1:10 p.m. Later in the day, three entries will participate in the varsity four race will begin at 4:20 p.m. and the novice eight will start at 4:45 p.m.
In addition, OU alumni boats will also race in the open eight on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and in the open four on Sunday at 10:55 a.m.
The Head of the Oklahoma includes 2.5 mile head racing during the day and 500m OGE NightSprints Saturday evening. This will be the first time for OGE NightSprints to be held under the permanent lights recently installed on the Oklahoma River making it the only permanently lighted race course in the world. Events over the weekend include collegiate, masters, and junior rowing as well as kayak and dragon boat racing.
Fans can follow the action on Twitter @OU_Rowing for photos and updates throughout the event. For a complete schedule, directions to the river and parking information, click here.
Tentative lineups for Saturday include the following:

Varsity Eight C: Jessica Hogan S: Kellie O’Reilly 7: Emmie Preskitt 6: Laura Combs 5: Hannah Kloppenburg 4: Kristin Clift 3: Victoria Wallace 2: Kim Moldenhauer B: Marilyn Kozlowski |
Second Varsity Eight C: Lindsey McClure S: Megan Quinn 7: Rachel Cantrell 6: Natalie Grimes 5: Daisy Beals 4: Taylor Gillespie 3: Maddison Wullschleger 2: Dale Main B: Reagan Collins |
Varsity Four C: Ashley Middaugh S: Heather Morris 3: Jenny O'Grady 2: Abbie Seremek B: Meredith Thornton |
Second Varsity Four C: Nicasia D'Allesandro S: Allison Kwiecinski 3: Callie Kinsey 2: Jenny Franklin B: Angela Thompson-Butler |
Third Varsity Four C: Ashley Carpenter S: Cassie Preskitt 3: Marissa Beene 2: Markayla Adam B: Megan Szukala |
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Novice Eight C: Shandee Ratliff 8: Maegan Neihart 7: Taylor Spencer 6: Stephanie Busse 5: Victoria Baker 4: Hallie Robertson 3: Madison Heindenburg 2: Katie Shackelford B: Anna Trammell |
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Alumni Eight C: Carly Schueler 8: Rebecca Staff 7: Chelsea Moore 6: Brooke Holleman 5: Olivia Staff 4: Nicole Bladow 3: Nicole Furmanek 2: Kristin Anthis B: Meghan Farrell |
Alumni Four C: Carly Schueler S: Brooke Holleman 3: Kelsey O'Grady 2: Ivy Brown B: Kat Passlack |