OKLAHOMA CITY – When the Oklahoma City women's rowing team hits the water for the Head of the Oklahoma on Saturday, it will be the start of a learning curve for most of the team.
 
"They are mostly new to the sport, so they have a potential for a quick learning curve that could pay off in the spring," said OCU Head Coach and Olympic gold medalist Bryan Volpenhein. "They are motivated to do the work required, which is a big step."
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The team returns Lucy Oney, a junior from Lanexa, Virginia, who took silver at Dad Vail Regatta in single scull last spring. She'll be counted on for her leadership as an experienced rower.
 
"We are trying to grow the numbers on the women's side, and we have mostly walk-on athletes and one freshman who is relatively new to the sport, so Lucy's leadership will be very important to keep them excited, motivated and encouraged when it gets hard," said Volpenhein.
 
Caitlyn Koekemoer, who is coxswain for both the men's and women's teams, returns along with Amelia Castor, Alexis Fredrickson, Makayla Munoz and Annabella Osunkwo. Freshman Michelle Guzman joins the squad this season.
 
"Michelle is very strong and I'm excited about her future and look forward to helping her achieve her goals here at OCU," Volpenhein said.
 
OCU's young crew had some bright moments last season. OCU's freshman/novice coxed four squad of Fredrickson, Castor,  Osunkwo, Munoz and Koekemoer was 13th at 8:57.800 at the Dad Vail Regatta.

Which boats will end up being the best is yet to be determined.
 
"I think it will be a mix this year," Volpenhein said. "Which boats end up being most competitive and exciting really depends on how the fall and winter training go. In the spring, we'll see which combinations have the most speed. I'm mostly excited to put each athlete in the best position to compete."
 
As the OCU rowing program enters its 25^th season, Volpenhein is noticing the continued growth and development and hopes to get a larger roster.
 
"I think we made some improvements last year from the previous season, but we still have a way to go," Volpenhein said. "They are on the right track but need to keep the progress moving forward. We need to slowly increase the numbers and keep them excited about coming to the boathouse every day."
 
The coach certainly believes the program has a lot to offer.
 
"The facilities and river are world class," he said. "We also have the flexibility to compete in a variety of races and events that most teams can't do, which is very fun and exciting. We also are only one of two NAIA schools with rowing programs, so we have the fun challenge of competing against D1 and D3 programs everywhere we go!"
 
That schedule starts with the Head of the Oklahoma regatta on Saturday. OCU continues this fall with the Princeton Chase on Nov. 2. The women also race four or five times next spring.
 
"I've added two races this year that will make our schedule more difficult," said Volpenhein. "One in the fall where we compete against some of the best in the country and one in the spring which is a much bigger regatta than we typically attend that time of year. I hope the competitive race at these events will help us at Nationals at the end of the year."