Gehrke Set to Join Rowing Staff

NORMAN — University of Oklahoma head rowing coach Sarah Trowbridge announced the hire of Eric Gehrke as an assistant coach on Thursday.

"I am beyond excited to welcome Eric Gehrke to the Sooner family and our OU rowing program," said Trowbridge. "His passion and hard-work mentality reflect the identity of our program and athletes. Our mutual national and international coaching experience provides continuity for our student-athletes and the elite-level development that OU Athletics is known for."

Gehrke comes to Norman with an impressive resume as a coach and athlete on the collegiate and international circuits. He currently serves as the USA U19 men's head coach, having led the U19 men's 8+ to gold at the 2021 World Championships and to bronze in 2022, and has worked within the junior national system since 2010.

In addition to his international experience, Gehrke served as OKC Riversport's director of rowing this past spring and the head juniors coach for OKC Riversport from 2021-23, helping secure five top-10 finishes at youth nationals and a 2024 national championship in the U17 4+.

On the collegiate circuit, Gehrke was head men's rowing coach at George Washington from 2020-21, leading the program to its best finish at the IRA National Championships and the highest finishes for the first and second varsity 8+. He also served as an assistant coach at USC.

"Coach Gehrke's strong reputation, high-caliber understanding of the sport and his commitment to the vision of OU Rowing will have an immediate impact on our squad," said Trowbridge. "Eric will be joining our current staff of Chuck Rodosky, Hannah Malzahn, Maria Pergouli and Leah Pearman, and this powerful coaching and support combination will provide an unmatched experience for our student-athletes."

For more information on Oklahoma Rowing, follow the Sooners on Instagram and X (@OU_Rowing).

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University of Oklahoma Athletics

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