On Saturday February 19th, 2011 the Tulsa Rowing Club competed in the South West Ergometer Amateur Tournament held in Dallas, TX. The club performed exceptionally well in both the adult and junior categories. This indoor rowing event features events for different age and weight categories. Individual athletes compete over two thousand meters on Concept Two rowing machines and try to record the fastest time possible. At the close of racing, the team had won four medals and also placed well in other events and many athletes recording personal best times.
In the Women’s Masters Lightweight category Sara Younger rowed well to win the silver medal. In the Men’s Masters 30 to 39 age group category Neil Bergenroth won the Gold medal in a time of 6:52.7.
In the juniors events the team also performed well to continue this success. In the women’s High School Freshman Category Mykelah Lehmann (Edison) won the bronze medal with a time of 8:28.0. In addition, Madeline Lee (Victory Christian) and Taylor Abel (Monte Casino) placed 4th and 5th respectively.
In the Men’s Junior Novice category Warren White rowed to a silver place finish with a personal best time of 6:56.7.
In addition to strong club performances, recent graduates of the Tulsa Rowing Club Juniors program Emily Carstens and Courtaney Miller won silver and 4th in the women’s collegiate competition representing Southern Methodist University.
In the Women’s Junior Lightweight Novice event Bishop Kelley senior Amy Richardson placed 4th in a time of 8:34.3. Richardson has been recruited to row at the University of Tulsa after she graduates, so this performance bodes well for their future lightweight team.
In the Women’s Junior Novice event Bailey Robison (Holland Hall) placed 5th with a personal best time of 8:24.3.
The success of the team continued with Victoria Richter (Cascia Hall) and OxziAna Herbert (Monte Casino) placing 4th and 5th in the Women’s Junior Lightweight category.
The boy’s team also found success when Ryan Arthur (Holland Hall) and Cody Shafer (Union) placed 4th and 5th in the Men’s High School Freshman event.
“Today was an excellent overall team performance, which is truly a testament to the dedication and training that the athletes have put in all winter. The multitude of personal bests is a good indicator for future success this season,” said boys coach Coach Adam Stoermer.