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Tulsa Rowing Inks Seven for Fall 2015 Class
11/24/2014 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Tulsa, Oklahoma - Head Rowing Coach Kevin Harris, who is in his 13th season, announced that seven recruits signed to The University of Tulsa during the November early signing period. Samantha Barber, Audrey Brown, Alexandra Griffith, Julia Herrel, Nikki Johnstone, Ann Martin and Juliana Soper all signed national letters-of-intent.
"I am very pleased with our fall recruiting," Harris said. "This is an exciting and diverse group of athletes who will bring a lot to our program. We are seeing higher caliber athletes from around the world look at Tulsa more and more. I think these student-athletes will only help us get faster and contribute to the University in positive ways."
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Barber (Oak Ridge HS; Oak Ridge, Tenn.) is a coxswain from the Atomic Rowing Club in Oak Ridge, Tenn., where she is currently coached by Ryan Worth and formerly by Allen Eubanks. She has also raced with the Southeast Junior Camp where in 2013 she finished fourth at USRA Club Nationals in the Junior B 4+. In the spring of 2014, Barber's Varsity 4+ won the USRA Southeast Youth Championships. She would go on to finish 15th at USRA Youth National Championships. This fall, Barber steered Atomic to a win at the Secret City Head Race in the Youth 4+. She will study psychology at Tulsa.
Why Tulsa? "I picked Tulsa because of the academics, and I felt that I would fit in very well on the team and in campus life."
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Brown (Oak Ridge HS; Conroe, Texas) is a lightweight rower with Parati Competitive Rowing in The Woodlands, Texas, where she is coached by Mike Rosman. In 2013, she earned silver medals at the Dallas BLAST Regatta and the Heart of Texas in the Junior Lightweight 1x. She also finished third in the Lightweight 2x at the USRA Central Youth Championships. In the spring of 2014, Brown earned silver at the Heart of Texas in the Lightweight Double, and earned a silver and bronze medal at the Dallas BLAST Regatta in the Lightweight 1x and 2x, respectively. In the fall of 2014, she earned bronze in the Junior Single at the Head of the Oklahoma and gold in the Junior Single and Double at the Head of the Colorado. Brown will study business at Tulsa.
Why Tulsa? "The beautiful campus is big enough to feel like you're at a large college, but you will never get lost. I met fantastic leaders in my chosen studies, and when I was on my official visit, the rowing team seemed like such a close-knit group of girls, I knew it would be a perfect fit. The team seemed to add a family feel when you're away from home, but is still a successful and challenging rowing team that, for me, was exactly what I wanted as I started my life as a college student."
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Griffith (Homeschooled; Roland, Ark.) is a rower with the Arkansas Boathouse where she is coached by Yates Phillips. Griffith has rowed for two years at the Arkansas Boathouse, which is a recently founded club in Little Rock, Ark. While Griffith's rowing experience is not as extensive as some, she has shown great athleticism through club volleyball and swimming at both the local and state levels in Arkansas. She will study business management at Tulsa.
Why Tulsa? "I chose Tulsa because as soon as I walked on campus I knew it was home. The close knit environment of the team and work ethic of the whole community, coupled with the excellent academics solidified my choice in Tulsa."
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Herrel (St. Joseph's Academy; Cleveland, Ohio) is a lightweight rower and is coached by Robert Zdankiewicz. Herrel is a two year attendee of the Southeast Juniors Rowing Camp, winning a silver in the 2013 Junior B 8+ and a bronze in the 2014 Senior Lightweight 4+ at the USRA Club National Championships. Rowing with St Joseph's Academy, Herrel finished second in the Lightweight 4+ at Midwest Scholastic Regionals in 2013. She also has rowed in three consecutive Head of the Charles Regattas in the Junior 4+. Herrel will study energy management at Tulsa.
Why Tulsa? "The official visit to TU gave me clarity on what major I would want and how well Tulsa fit that bill. The coaches and the rowing team felt like the right fit and along with the people, I really love the facilities and resources the school will provide. The warmth and the friendliness are genuine."
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Johnstone (Notre Dame Secondary School; Fonthill, Ontario, Canada) is coached by Terry Andrews and Dave Pellette. She is a former ice hockey player and an accomplished sculler. During the summer of 2013, Johnstone helped Notre Dame garner a third-place finish in the Under 17 8+ at the Row Ontario Championships. In spring of 2014, she earned a first-place finish at the SNRC High School Invitational in the Senior 2x. This fall, Johnstone has earned gold medals at the Head of the Welland Regatta in the Junior 4x and 2x, bettering her silver-place finishes in both events in 2013. Johnstone and her teammates also won the 2014 Head of the Schuylkill in the Junior 4x. She will study exercise and sports science at Tulsa.
Why Tulsa? "I visited Tulsa and fell in love with the beautiful campus. It's a perfect fit both academically and athletically for me. The girls on team made me feel very welcome."
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Martin (Marietta HS; Atlanta, Ga.) is a lightweight rower and is coached by Skye Elliott. The 2013-14 campaign was her first season as a rower, while she had previously been a swimmer for MHS. In spring of 2014, she rowed in the AJRA 2nd Varsity 8+ that earned gold at the USRA Southeast Youth Championships.
Why Tulsa? "I decided to attend Tulsa because of the team's commitment and work ethic. Everyone was welcoming and it made this team feel right for me."
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Soper (Paul VI HS; Cherry Hill, N.J.) is from the South Jersey Rowing Club where she is coached by Heather Brooks (Tulsa '12) and Jamie Stack. In 2013 and 2014, Soper made the finals in the Junior A 2x, 4x and 4+ at the USRA Club National Championship Regatta. In spring of 2014, she finished third at the USRA Mid-Atlantic Youth Championships and 14th in the USRA Youth National Championships in the Junior 2x. Most recently, Soper finished 11th at the Head of the Charles and third at the Head of the Schuylkill in the Junior 2x. She will study exercise and sports science at Tulsa.
Why Tulsa? "I knew Tulsa was the right choice for me because of the unparalleled sense of community that filled not only the rowing team, but the entire campus. I look forward to the many academic and athletic opportunities that TU has to offer."
