Jasyln Mock commits to UCO Rowing

A river runs through the middle of Sand Springs, but you never see much recreational activity on it. There is no high school row team at Charles Page High School - not even a club. But despite this, the school has sent three Lady Sandites to row at the collegiate level in recent years.

Kaylee Johnson and Hannah Hammond have both seen success rowing at the University of Oklahoma, and now Jaslynn Mock will continue the tradition at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

Her rowing experience? Using the ergometer at her crossfit gym. 

“I’m not doing this with any of my friends that I know,” said Mock. “I’m putting myself out there more and trying something new. I’ve done dance since I was two years old and I kind of want to try something new.”

Rowing stuck out to her because of the opportunity to stay active and get exercise, while also having a group of potential friends already there waiting for her. 

UCO competes at the NCAA Division 2 level in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. They have won three consecutive National Championships and third-year Head Coach Brian Ebke was named NCAA D2 Coach of the Year. The team trains and competes on the Oklahoma River in downtown Oklahoma City.

The recruiting process is a lot different for rowing than most other sports. Because so few high schools offer it and so few students have a background in it, UCO simply offers an email form on their website to get recruited, and often recruits from within the school’s existing student body. Each of their national-championship winning rosters has consisted of over 50 percent walk-ons with no rowing experience.

During her recruiting process, Mock got to tour the CHK | Central Boathouse and row with the coaches. She will start on the junior varsity roster and will have to earn her way to the varsity roster and any potential scholarship. She plans on studying criminal justice.