Sept. 10, 2012
NORMAN, Okla. -- University of Oklahoma Head Rowing Coach Leanne Crain and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione announced the Sooners' 2012-13 schedule today. Highlighted by two races at OU's home course on the Oklahoma River and trips to the world-famous Head of the Charles Regatta and Big 12 and Conference USA championships, the Sooners will travel across the country to face some of the nation's fastest collegiate crews.
"We're very excited for the upcoming season, where we'll race against some of the toughest competition in the country," Crain said. "Entering our fifth season, we're looking forward to a great year against some very strong competition, and we're excited for the potential of this year's squad."
OU opens the season on Saturday, Sept. 29, and Sunday, Sept. 30, on the Oklahoma River at the Head of the Oklahoma. Hosted by Oklahoma City University, the Sooners have opened the season on their home course in front of the OU faithful all four years of the program's existence.
"The setting on the Oklahoma River is absolutely perfect, and we're looking forward to race in front of our fans," Crain said. "The two-day race on Oklahoma City's Boathouse District has quickly become a must-see event, and we are thrilled to be involved again this year."
The Sooners then travel to Boston for the world-famous Head of the Charles Regatta on Oct. 20-21. With nearly 2,000 boats and 9,000 rowers on the Charles River, it is the world's largest two-day rowing event. As many as 300,000 spectators will see OU make its fourth-straight trip down the three-mile course.
The fall campaign continues with the Head of the Colorado on Saturday, Oct. 27, in Austin, Texas. The fall finale takes place one week later at the Head of the Hooch in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Nov. 3-4.
The spring season opens with the Sooners hosting the OU Invitational on March 9-10. For the fourth-straight season, OU hosts some of the top crews on the Oklahoma River.
After a weekend off, OU travels to Austin, Texas, for the Longhorn Invitational on March 22-24. The three-day event is the only spring race the Sooners have competed at in every season since the team's inception in the fall of 2008.
March closes with a trip to California for the Pac 12 Challenge on March 30-31. After nearly a month off, the Sooners return to the water for the Clemson Invitational on April 20-21 in Clemson, S.C. The race marks the final race of the regular season.
The Big 12 Championships await the Sooners on May 4 in Kansas City, Kan. After hosting the event last season, OU travels to Lake Wyndotte looking for their first conference championship.
Also a member of Conference USA, OU will race at the Conference USA Championships on May 18 in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The Sooners will look to build off a third-place finish at last year's event.
The season concludes on May 31-June 2 at the NCAA Championships in Indianapolis. The championships head to Eagle Creek Park for the first time in the 17-year history of the event.
2012-13 Schedule:
| Sept. 29 - 30 |
Head of the Oklahoma |
Oklahoma City |
| Oct. 20 - 21 |
Head of the Charles |
Boston |
| Oct. 27 |
Head of the Colorado |
Austin, Texas |
| Nov. 3 - 4 |
Head of the Hooch |
Chatanooga, Tenn. |
| March 9 - 10 |
OU Invitational |
Oklahoma City |
| March 22 - 24 |
Longhorn Invitational |
Austin, Texas |
| March 30 - 31 |
Pac 12 Challenge |
Redwood City, Calif. |
| April 20 - 21 |
Clemson Invitational |
Clemson, S.C. |
| May 4 |
Big 12 Championships |
Kansas City, Kan. |
| May 18 |
Conference USA Championships |
Oak Ridge, Tenn. |
| May 31 - June 2 |
NCAA Championships |
Indianapolis |
