Catching Up with Olympic Rower Michelle Sechser

Tulsa's Bruce Howard sat down with former Tulsa rower Michelle Sechser (2004-08) to get her thoughts on competing in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Sechser will not only compete in the 2021 Olympics in Japan, she will compete against another former TU rower, Jennifer Casson (2013-17), in the Lightweight 2x. Sechser will represent the United States, while Casson will represent Canada in a field of 18 crews.

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 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."

Catching Up with Olympic Rower Michelle Sechser

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