Welcome to our 4th annual awards banquet. My immediate thanks go to all boosters who have made this awards banquet a possibility.  Special thanks must go to Melinda Mercer, Liz Klawitter, and Barbara Saffell for their help in the organization of this event.

It is great to see such a strong showing from parents, boosters and supporters this evening. We have certainly come a long way this year with much for the better in the program. We have worked harder than any other year that I can remember since I took over the program 5 years ago.

I’ve seen improvements in the coaching and the attitude from the athletes in terms of what it takes to be a championship crew. It’s often hard to build a tradition for the first time. This is especially true of our pioneering spirit for the sport of rowing in Oklahoma.

Our athletes should take much confidence in their results. Confidence is not something that just happens. It is definitely something that you work for. When you work with consistency toward a goal and understand that there are factors that you can control and some that you cannot, the picture comes into focus. Self doubt is inevitable; it’s a natural part of the human condition. It’s all about how you handle for fears and become assertive in every situation that challenges you in life.

On that note, I want to take the time to thank our captains Logan Mercer and Taylor Jones. Both of these people have driven the program forward both on and off the water. I have asked Taylor and Logan to say a few words to us tonight marking the beginning of a tradition that captains will make a speech at every awards banquet in future years.

At the beginning of the year the University of Tulsa moved out of the boathouse so that they could pursue rowing on the Verdigris full time. This prompted a need for us to regroup and investigate new ways for our athletes to row in sweep-oared boats. As much as this was a difficult change for us, I remain convinced that this was one of the best things that had ever happened to us. In response to this, our boosters raised over $30,000 almost overnight so that we could purchase our own shells. Recently, we acquired an anonymous donation from a supporter to the tune of $10,000 which brings our fundraising to $40,000 for the year. I want to thank all of the people who supported our vision for juniors rowing in Tulsa. Without your support, we would not have met with the success this season and certainly would not be sending 2 eights to the national championship regatta in a couple of weeks.

I also want to thank TU Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham, Coach Kevin Harris, Coach Julia Domina and the University of Tulsa administration for their generous offer of allowing us to use the Catoosa boathouse facility. The J. Bird Boathouse is a rowing facility vital to the success of preparing crews both junior and collegiate for a national championship run. I would also like to personally thank Bob Vondfelt for his support and guidance this season. I’m glad that I am surrounded with people with their vision and know that our season would not have been what it was without their support. Thank you.

In addition, I would like to thank Ned Beattie, Sam Stone and Mike Kneafsey and Tulsa Rowing Club for their support of our program. Without the work before we came into being, it likely that we would be far behind where we are today. Therefore, thanks to the aforementioned gentlemen for their time and effort this year.

Our results this season have been truly remarkable. We had visited the Head of the Charles, Austin, TX, windy Topeka and OKC. We had another stand out performance at the Central District Youth Rowing Championships. I was really proud of the results and the way that we raced. I’d like to take the opportunity to play for you an audio clip of the boy’s varsity eight winning the regional championship two weeks ago. It’s an inspirational recording and will provide for you a glimpse of the challenges and experiences our athletes face racing at this level of competition.

Link to audio file of Chris Light – Regional Champions Boys Varsity Eight Tulsa Rowing Club.

I want to thank the following editorial staff and writer of the following publications for providing us with some exposure to the program. David Shulte of the Tulsa World has been an excellent supporter of our program as has John Ferguson Tulsa World sports writer. I want to thank them personally for their tireless efforts at publishing our progress to the community. The Tulsa Beacon also features our results and recognizes all the good that we are doing in the community.  I want to thank the Beacon and Mr. Charles Biggs for their coverage of our program this year.

As I stated in last years speech, it would be nice for schools to recognize the effort of our athletes and give them credit for participating in our program. This year saw the start of a Holland Hall “exhibition” crew. I’m not sure that Tulsa is the place for 20 different high school crews, given our present access to rowable water. However, it’s important to the long term success of the sport in this town that the High Schools are aware of all the good that these young men and women are doing.

I am convinced, and I am sure that you will agree, that the kids in the program should get credit from their respective schools for participating in this sport. Our athletes commit 10 – 12 hours each week and are dedicated to improving. They are as dedicated as any other varsity sport in this town and their results prove it. I’ve had interest from the Sapulpa High School and Rogers Principals in our program and I look forward to working with them over the summer to improve youth community rowing.

This year marked the first time that we held a high school rowing event on the Arkansas. There were ten or so different high school represented in this one day 750m regatta. The day was a great success and if you were not able to attend you missed out. I would like to thank all the people who made the day a great success. Sam “Spielberg” Scott has produced a short 2-minute video that documented that day and the sport so well. I’d like to take the opportunity to show this movie at this point in time.

Link to HS Invitational Movie >>

At this point in the proceedings I would like to take the time to acknowledge the “exhibition” Holland Hall team. For the first time in Oklahoma High School history these young men and women are being awarded varsity letters by their school for participating in the TRC Jrs program. Please step forward when I announce your name. Special thanks to Headmaster Doctor Mark Desjardins and Athletic Director Steve Heldebrand for their support of these young men and women.

Evan Gates | Geoffrey Moseley | Nick Johnson | Hunter Wagner | Jayson Williamson | Anna Royce | Hannah Newman

To our graduating seniors, nine in total. You have provided much of the leadership and forward momentum for our program this year. You’ve often had to step up for the program time and time again. It’s going to be a real loss for us that you will not be a roster athlete past June. However, I’m confident that you’ll take with you the lessons that you’ve learned and grow where you are planted for the next four years and beyond. Please know that you will always be welcome at Tulsa Rowing Club Juniors. My sincere thanks go to you all for your hard work, commitment and loyalty to the program.

Included in these nine are our two captains Logan Mercer and Taylor Jones. Both athletes in have worked exceptionally hard and have set the standard for other captains to follow. I always felt like when I needed something accomplished they were there to get it done. My sincere thanks for all of their hard work and support over the last ten months.

Please step forward to receive your gift as I read your name.

Emily Biner (BKHS) – Nova Southeastern University, Florida
Anne Campbell (TSAS) – The University of Tulsa, OK
Peter Gehres (Booker T. Washington) – University of Tulsa
Girls Captain - Taylor Jones (TSAS) – Wellesley College, MA
Kelsey Kline (Union) – Accepted to the University of Tulsa and OCU
Boys Captain - Logan Mercer (Bishop Kelley) – Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
Elliot Price (TSAS) – Oklahoma City University, OK
Hunter Wagner (Holland Hall) – University of Oklahoma, OK
Jayson Williamson (Holland Hall) – University of Oklahoma, OK

As far as the rest of the team is concerned, we have awards for your participation in the program this year. Please step forward when I call your name.

Boosters Awards

The year started with Carmen Clayton as our president. Carmen did an excellent job running the boosters for the fall season and I want to thank her for her work. At the mid point in the season Melinda Mercer took over and has continued as our president to the conclusion of our season. I would like to take the opportunity to thank both Carmen and Melinda for their tireless work running our boosters club. At this point, I’d like to turn things over to Melinda who has a few thank yous of her own to deliver.

I want to thank all of our boosters who helped chaperone this season. It is nice to be able to go to your room and get refreshed for the day of coaching. Thank you for allowing me to do my job and enabling us to go on the road. Your support is much appreciated.

I also appreciate the help with the dock duty. I realize that it is an extra chore given that we are now practicing in two locations, albeit a necessary one. Thanks for your support for this continuing effort.

Much appreciation goes to Brent Saffell for being our treasurer and being so good about it. Brent is set to retire after this season. He has been wonderful in his responsiveness and he will be a loss to the program. I also want to thank Stephanie Royce for stepping up into the role for the upcoming year.

Faith Gates has stepped up and taken on the role of our secretary this year. It has been wonderful to have such great documentation of our boosters meetings. Particularly as it is difficult for everyone to make all of the boosters meetings.

I must thank Claudia Brierre for her contribution as Vice-President. I look forward to working with her in her new capacity as Boosters president for next year.

Another token of appreciation must also go to Liz Klawitter who has been a terrific supporter of our program in terms of booster’s organization and stepping into the uniform coordinator role. Liz has done a great deal of tasks behind the scenes and my heartfelt thanks go to her for all of the hard work.

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Dan and Jane Charrier, who have been excellent contributors to our success on the road. I got the feeling that there was no stone left unturned and that’s an excellent place to be if you are a head coach traveling with 3 assistant coaches and 40 or so athletes. Thanks to you for your help.

Also, thanks must go to Liz Berntson for her tireless work organizing both nationals’ trips. It makes it easier for all of us. Here’s to next years 40 athlete trip! 

I would be amiss if I didn’t thank my coaching staff. Coach Peters, Holter and Simmons are an excellent support staff and have done great things this year. From early morning workouts, boat maintenance and coaching of the novices it has been a pleasure to work with you this year. There is no way that this program would run as it does without your help. Thank you all for your contributions this year.

I have come to the end of thanking all of the adults who have impacted the program in such meaningful and significant way.

I would also like to acknowledge our athlete leadership council this year. The leadership council has met with the coaching staff this year on many different occasions. The council should ideally be composed of athletes who represent the many different types of athletes that we have on the team – both experienced and new. This year’s council was Taylor Jones, Logan Mercer, Chris Light, Anne Campbell, Hunter Wagner and Liz Snyder. It’s been a good first year and I look to make some improvements to the running of the council next year as we have learned from experiences this year. My sincere thanks to those athletes who participated this year.

Now, I turn to our athletes once more as we award those who have made significant accomplishments both in a humorous way and in a more serious manner.

"U-Boat Commander" Award (Aaron Charrier and Elliot Price)

Awarded to the athlete who flips the most during the course of the season. Athletes may only win this award if they capsize unintentionally during the course of practice. (Awarded by coaching staff)

"Tuff as Nails" Award (Bronwyn Tawney)

Awarded to the athlete who has proved himself or herself to be mentally tough and resilient above all else. (Awarded by coaching staff)

Most Improved Male Rower (Aaron Charrier)

Awarded to the male athlete, who by his contribution, commitment and performance has improved his rowing over the course of the season. (Awarded by coaching staff)

Most Improved Female Rower (Kelsey Kline)
 
Awarded to the female athlete, who by her contribution, commitment and performance has improved her rowing over the course of the season. (Awarded by coaching staff)

Most Hardworking Award (Gentry Klawitter)

Awarded to the athlete either male or female who has proved in the estimation of the coaching staff to have sustained a high degree of work ethic both on and off the water. (Awarded by coaching staff)

“Golden Coxswain” Award (Chris Light)

Awarded to the coxswain, who has demonstrated leadership, organization and commitment to the program. (Voted and Awarded by athletes)

Queen Oar Award (Taylor Jones)

Awarded to the female rower or coxswain who has demonstrated her commitment and leadership over the course of the season and therefore has contributed to the success of the program. Athletes must have competed in both fall and spring seasons to be eligible for this award at the end of the year. (Voted and awarded by athletes)

King Oar Award (Hunter Wagner)

Awarded to the male rower or coxswain who has demonstrated his commitment and leadership over the course of the season and therefore has contributed to the success of the program. Athletes must have competed in both fall and spring seasons to be eligible for this award at the end of the year. (Voted and awarded by athletes)

Congratulations to all of these student-athletes.

We will be determining our captains for next year in the near future and will announce them at the end of the season.

My thanks go to everyone for a wonderful season. It has been a pleasure to serve you all.

Thank You.

Coach Bergenroth.