Alabama rowing began its 2019-2020 season with a strong weekend at the Head of the Oklahoma regatta in Oklahoma City.

During the first day of the regatta, freshmen Jordan Bradburne, Lily Butler, Emma Ewell, Justine Hobbs, and Rachael Tullis placed first in the Women’s Collegiate Novice/Frosh 4+. It was the first gold medal of the 2019-20 season and the first collegiate race for all five members.

The Crimson Tide placed second in the Women’s Collegiate 8+ (Alabama A), fourth in the Women’s Collegiate 4+ (Alabama A), fifth in the Women’s Open 2X, and third in the Women’s Collegiate 8+ 500m Grand Final (Alabama B).

“It was a good opening to the season,” head coach Glenn Putyrae said in a press release. “It was fun to race and see what we are doing well and see the things we can improve. We can see the progress we are making in the results.”

On the final day of the Head of the Oklahoma, Alabama finished with five medals, including two gold, two silver and a bronze. With six placements for the two events Alabama competed in, the team secured five of them.

“We were pleased with the performance of our small boats,” Putyrae said. “The course is challenging for blind boats and all crews were able to negotiate the bridges without incident. The rowers did a great job, had fun and earned some good results.”

Junior Darcy Jennings placed first in the Women’s Collegiate 1X, followed by Hobbs in second. In the program’s first time competing in a singles event, the Crimson Tide finished top two.

Alabama finished the day with a grand sweep of the Women’s Open 2-. Seniors Peyton Cowell and Hailey Higgins won gold, followed by seniors Gabrielle Krieger and Rebekah Stewart securing silver. Bradburne and junior Ilaria Earl got bronze.

The Crimson Tide is back in action Nov. 2-3, competing in the Head of the Hooch in Chattanooga, Tenn.