Former Tulsa Rowers Set to Compete at the Olympics this Summer in Japan

Former Tulsa rowers Jennifer Casson (2013-17) and Michelle Sechser (2004-08) will not only compete in the 2021 Olympics in Japan, they will compete against each other in the Lightweight 2x. Sechser will represent the United States, while Casson will represent Canada in a field of 18 crews.

"Personally, as the head coach of this team, I have a lot of emotion around the fact that these women were fantastic contributors at TU," Tulsa Head Coach Kevin Harris said. "For an Olympian to be an Olympian it takes a village and for both of these amazing women I'm just privileged to be a small piece of what helped them get to where they are going. They have worked very hard to get to where they are and as a team we are all looking forward to watching them compete in the Olympics."

Sechser has been competing professionally since 2009, racing in dozens of world championship races, including a top finish in the Lightweight Double Sculls at the 2021 World Rowing Final Olympic Qualification Regatta to qualify for the Olympics. At Tulsa, Sechser was a four-year letterwinner who participated in nearly every regatta during her career. She led TU to three-straight Varsity 4+ gold medals and the Varsity 8+ to two bronze medals at the Midwest Intercollegiate Rowing Championships.

"I have known Michelle since she was just a teenager," Harris said. "I watched her go from a junior rower, to rowing at Tulsa for four years and helping establish Tulsa as a team to be recognized, and to see her now on the US National Team has been an incredible journey. It was overwhelming for me as her former coach to see her qualify for the Olympics."

"I can hardly describe how meaningful and emotional the moment we won the race was," Sechser said. "I was also so exhausted from such a hard race, everything was burning and I was gasping for air. I've never felt so much pain and joy in the same moment." (Quote courtesy of SeacoastOnline.com)

Casson has been a Canada National Team member since 2016 and has competed in nine world championships. Casson was a four-year letterwinner at Tulsa. She competed in 35 regattas, was a two-time American Athletic Conference first-team all-conference selection and a three-time silver medalist in the Varsity 8+ at The American Championships.

"Jenny was a fantastic rower who got better every day and pushed her team to get better every day," Harris said. "I watched her develop into the student-athlete that she was and now to see her represent Canada on the ultimate stage is a real pleasure."

"Going to the Olympics was never a realistic goal of mine," Casson said. "I never thought I would make it this far, I just loved what I did and loved to work hard. Earning a seat in the Lightweight Double to represent Canada along with my amazing partnership with Jill Moffatt are two things that have been years in the making. I am fortunate to have a partnership, a training environment and incredible support from my family and friends. These combined have amounted to my ability to represent not only them, but all of Canada in the Lightweight Woman's Double Sculls at this year's Olympics. Without this support team, I would not be going to the Olympics. Thanks to my mom, dad and brother, Joe. It has been a long (and delayed) road, but Jill and I cannot wait to travel to Tokyo to take on the rest of the world on the world's biggest athletic stage."

Former Tulsa Rowers Set to Compete at the Olympics this Summer in Japan

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