From Softball to Rowing

2/3/2012 11:24:00 AM

Leslie Dixon

Leslie Dixon, a former softball player at the University of Arkansas, never thought about rowing until she caught up with a high school friend.

A three-year letterman for the Razorbacks, Dixon decided to continue her education at Central Oklahoma for one year before attending a medical technology program at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. Kristin Philhower, a senior and captain of the UCO rowing team, suggested that her Edmond North High School classmate give rowing a try. Philhower, herself a former college basketball player at Oklahoma Christian, noted that many college rowers are walk-ons or former athletes with little rowing experience.

Thus Dixon commenced her first season as a novice, a term used to describe a first-year rower.

“It was a lot tougher than it looked,” Dixon said about rowing. She compared rowing to swimming, a sport she competed in high school. Though it's a different sport, the same team aspect and a competitive atmosphere remains. Even with the change to a morning schedule, she said, “I've definitely become a morning person.”

The fall season serves as the long distance or “head” race season and includes races of 4,000 to 6,000 meters with a staggered start. Dixon competed in her first race, the Novice 8 at the Frostbite Regatta in Wichita, Kan. on Nov. 6. Dixon and her boat tied for first against hometown favorites Wichita State. It was the first time UCO has won a novice event in the fall season.

The spring season is rowing's championship season, which includes sprint races, and that's what Dixon looks forward to the most. Sprint races includes up to 6 boats competing in 2000m race to the finish line. The racing and traveling of rowing are very similar to her softball spring season.

Even though she's only been rowing for five months, when comparing Broncho rowing to her softball background, Dixon said, “It's smaller, more personal. It's full of people I know. It's kind of like coming home.”

Dixon and her fellow Bronchos are preparing for their spring season indoor and on the water. Their first race is the University of Oklahoma Invitational on the Oklahoma River March 9.

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