The Iowa rowing team will put its boats in the water and jump-start the fall season in Oklahoma City for the Head of the Oklahoma race this weekend.

The annual event begins Saturday at 11 a.m., and will continue on Oct. 1 at 8 a.m.

The Head of the Oklahoma is a 2.5-mile race down the Oklahoma River and is a part of the city’s Oklahoma Regatta Festival. The Hawkeyes will be racing in the 8’s, 4’s and open pairs at the event, which includes a sprint on Saturday evening.

"This race has turned out to be a very special event," Iowa head coach Mandi Kowal said in a release. "The energy and format of the Head of the Oklahoma provides a unique opportunity for the athletes. I know we enjoy this format, in particular the 500m sprint under the lights. But beyond that we plan to use this regatta as a stepping stone for our progress."

— by Conrad Swanson