Head of the Oklahoma schedule and results

        NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will make its varsity rowing debut this weekend when the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets compete in the Head of the Oklahoma, a two-day regatta in Oklahoma City's Boathouse District — downtown on the Oklahoma River.
        Rowing was a XULA club sport the past two academic years. XULA varsity rowing is the first for men and women at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
        "Our first regatta is not just about racing — it's about opening doors for generations to come," XULA head coach Tamara Clayton said. "Some of our athletes are nervous, and that's a good thing. It means they care. Even with nerves, they've shown up anyway, and they're here now as a collective team. We know the eyes of the rowing world will be on us as we step into something new, but we've trained for this moment, and we're ready. I'm so proud of the work they've put in, and all I hope for as a coach is that they believe in themselves and each other, push hard and have fun. If medals come home with us, they'll be an earned bonus for all their hard work."
        The XULA men's roster includes Mekhi Akonnor, Deon Arnold, Brandon King and Cameron Olmo. The women's roster includes Nyla Archibold, Camryn Brown, Ashai Bryant, Margo Davis, Kamryn Days, Victoria Duffey, Hailey Journet, Taylor Kentish, Vasha Marshall, Lashall Richards, Alana Sankey, Diamond Smith and Paige Walls.
        Keys will compete first for XULA, at 8:35 a.m. CDT Saturday in women's lightweight single scull. XULA's first men's event will be open double scull, with Akonnor and King competing at 10:15 a.m. Saturday.
        XULA's Sunday races will begin at 9:50 a.m.
        King, a freshman psychology/pre-medical major from Charlotte, N.C., said he looks forward "to getting the Xavier name out there. We want to establish ourselves as a good team that can compete in bigger races. We want to promote the HBCU brand because there's not much there in the sport."
        Of the XULA rowing culture, King said, "It's a family. Everyone is there to support you if you need any kind of help."
        The debut regatta will be a homecoming for Clayton, who spent the majority of her youth in Tulsa, is a 2013 graduate of the University of Oklahoma and coached teams at Tulsa Youth Rowing that produced eighth- and 11th-place national finishes at USRowing varsity championships and won multiple championships in a seven-state district.
        XULA will compete in both semesters. The second regatta will be Nov. 15 and hosted by city rival Tulane.