This week, Xavier Rowing will take part in its first regular-season regatta, the 2026 Head of the Oklahoma, hosted in OKC Oct. 2-4. 

Sponsored by Oklahoma City University, this regatta features a variety of rowing events, which will offer new challenges for the Xavier student-athletes and provide another opportunity for growth, 

"Head of the Oklahoma is a great first regatta for us because the course gives us a little bit of everything," XULA coach Tamara Clayton said. "Straight sections, bridges, turns, and potentially some wind.

"This race is really our foundation for the fall. It's where I want us to work out the kinks, learn how to adjust, and build confidence. Racing doesn't always go according to Plan A, so I want to see how we respond when we have to change to Plan B or C - especially if it's last minute."

XULA rowers will face a litany of unique challenges in the Head of the Oklahoma, which features dozens of events and athletes from across the nation. 

"Competition is a big part of why I choose our regattas too," Clayton said. "I want our athletes racing teams similar to us while also getting exposure to bigger, faster programs. There's a lot we can learn just by watching how other teams prepare and race.

"And just as much as we're there to learn from others, we're proud to represent Xavier and bring some HBCU culture and energy to the rowing world. My prayer is that we have a healthy weekend, leave OKC more confident than when we arrived, and make Xavier proud."

Heading into the weekend, Xavier student-athletes will compete in 10 categories, ranging from sprints to longer endeavors and solo, two-, four-, and eight-person teams. 

"I also love that we get both sides of racing here," Clayton said. "We have the longer head race during the day and then the 500-meter night sprints under the stadium lights. The night sprints bring creativity, fun, and excitement to the rowing world - especially for spectators!"

This will be Xavier's second trip to Oklahoma this year. The team completed a preseason training camp and participated in the River Bowl Classic, the nation's only Black-led, Black-centered rowing event.

Xavier's busy preseason also involved a week-long trip to the Craftsbury Training Camp in Vermont, where the team also took part in the Head of the Hosmer. 

XULA fans can track their student-athletes live on Regatta Central, where meet information, heat sheets, and live results will be posted throughout the event. The event will also be livestreamed on both Saturday and Sunday. 

Head of the Oklahoma is part of the larger Oklahoma Regatta Festival, which also features youth, amateur, and recreational rowing events as well as various forms of family entertainment.