11 Apr 2025
Engineering Science students represent Oxford in the 2025 Boat Races
Eight students from the Department of Engineering Science have been selected to represent Oxford in this year’s Boat Races, taking place on the Tideway in London on Sunday 13 April. The students are competing across a range of crews including the Men’s Blue Boat, Osiris (the women’s reserve crew), and the lightweight teams reflecting the department’s strong presence in one of the most iconic sporting events of the University calendar.
From left to right: DPhil Student - Tassilo von Mueller, MEng Student - Tom Sharrock, DPhil Student - Sierra Sparks, MEng Student - Hattie Cooper, MEng Student - Rahul Marchand. Photo Credit: Row360.
Representing Oxford in the Men’s Blue Boat are fourth-year DPhil candidate Tassilo von Mueller (Hertford College) and fourth-year MEng student Tom Sharrock (Magdalen College), both of whom return to the squad having rowed in the 2023 Blue Boat. Tassilo also competed in the reserve crew in 2022.
Reflecting on his experience, Tassilo said:
“It’s been a fun year with a lot of inspiring people. I’ve been trying to learn as much as I could from the more experienced guys on the team and push ways in which I can be a better athlete. It’s been a very meaningful experience and I encourage anyone who wants to give rowing a good crack to join OUBC!”
Tom Sharrock echoed the significance of combining academic and sporting achievements:
“Being part of the Boat Club is an amazing privilege. Doing this throughout myundergraduate engineering studies gives me a huge sense ofachievement every day.”
In the men's reserve crew, Isis, Engineering Science DPhil Student Luke Robinson (Jesus College), will be competing. In the women’s reserve crew, Osiris, fourth-year MEng student Hattie Cooper (Exeter College) and fourth-year DPhil candidate Sierra Sparks (Keble College) are representing Oxford. Hattie described the experience as:
“Extremely special… Balancing both Engineering and rowing has been challenging at times, but it has definitely been worth it!”
Sierra added:
“It’s been a privilege to train for The Boat Race with such a talented squad of athletes, ranging from rowers like me who took up the sport at Oxford, to those who have competed internationally. I’ve learned so much through trialling with OUBC, and I’ve loved the experience.”
Competing in this year’s events in the lightweight men’s crew, is Engineering Science DPhil student Tom Tyler and Rahul Marchand (New College), a second-year MEng student, who is coxing Oxford’s lightweight men’s crew.
“We’ve had a great squad culture this year and I’ve made many great memories and friends while training with OUBC this season,” he said.
This year, Oxford’s crews will face off against their historic rivals from Cambridge. In 2024, Oxford claimed victory in the Women’s Blue Boat and Lightweight Women’s races, while Cambridge secured wins in the Men’s Blue Boat, Men’s Reserve (Isis vs Goldie), and the Lightweight Men’s race; setting the stage for highly anticipated rematches in 2025.
This year, Oxford’s crews will face off against their historic rivals from Cambridge and will be aiming to reclaim titles after a challenging set of results in 2024. Oxford will be hoping to retain the win for the Women's reserve crew, Osiris.
With strong squads in all categories and a mix of returning and first-time rowers, Oxford is hoping for success in 2025 — and the opportunity to turn the tide on recent results.
Watch the races live
The Boat Races will be broadcast on BBC One and available to stream via BBC iPlayer in the UK. International viewers can tune in through The Boat Race YouTube channel. Coverage starts from early afternoon on Sunday 13 April.
The Department congratulates all eight Engineering Science students on their achievements and wishes them the very best for race day.
