WACO, TX – November 12th – The Tulsa Youth Rowing Association (TYRA) participated with remarkable success in the 2nd annual Waco Rowing Regatta on the Brazos River on Sunday, November 12th, 2023. This 5k Head Race, set against the backdrop of Brazos Park East’s rolling grass and the scenic bluffs of Cameron Park, brought together teams from across the region in a spirited competition.
The Waco Rowing Center hosts the event and celebrates the regatta as a cornerstone for expanding youth rowing in Waco and beyond. The TYRA’s involvement highlights their competitive spirit and supports the broader mission of promoting youth rowing. Proceeds from the regatta contribute to the development of the youth rowing community, offering opportunities for young athletes to engage in the sport and earn rowing scholarships for college.
Last year, the inaugural Waco Rowing Regatta attracted approximately 300 entries and 1,000 athletes, with teams from Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Jersey.
In the women’s youth single, Halee McMahan (BTW) capped off a successful season with 1st place, closely followed by teammate Emory Oakes (Lincoln Christian) in 4th place.
The Women’s Youth double of Oakes and McMahan rowed their combination and placed 1st by a convincing 40-second margin over the next closest crew. Kai Lukenbaugh (BTW) and Blair Klingeman (BTW) placed 7th in the same event.
In the women’s youth novice quads, Mary Jane Schenk (Philosophy School), B. Jackson, Mary Grisham (Lincoln Christian), and Blair Klingeman (BTW) placed third.
The men’s youth four placed 5th in their event, showing improvement in their rowing and looking to work hard over the winter to move forward into a strong spring season.
Leighton Warren (Home School) placed 10th out of 20 crews in the Women’s Under 17 Singles.
Jacob McKinney (Bixby) and Sam Derricot (Owasso) placed 8th out of 12th crews in the men’s youth doubles.
Will Johns (Bixby) placed 4th in the men’s youth U17 singles out of 12 crews.
The Tulsa Youth Rowing Association, established in 2002, has been an integral part of developing young rowers in the Tulsa area. With a focus on fostering teamwork, discipline, and athletic excellence, TYRA has consistently produced competitive rowers who excel on and off the water.
The Waco Rowing Regatta marks a significant milestone in TYRA’s competitive calendar, as it is the last Fall head Race in the racing calendar.
The team is now gearing up for winter training, having built momentum over the Fall season.
Those who want to know more about the sport should consider the free youth rowing clinic on December 2nd. For more information and registration on that event, please visit the following link.
https://www.okrowing.org/free-youth-rowing-clinic-dec-2nd-2023/
For more information, please contact:
Neil Bergenroth, Director of Outreach
Tulsa Youth Rowing Association
neil@okrowing.org
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