Kansas to Host First Big 12 Conference Rowing Championship at Wyandotte County Lake May 2

April 21, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the first time in school history, the University of Kansas rowing team will compete for a league title as KU will host the first Big 12 Conference Rowing Championship Saturday, May 2, at Wyandotte County Lake in Kansas City, Kan.

With Oklahoma adding rowing as a varsity sport in 2008-09, four Big 12 schools now compete in rowing. The conference, therefore, has added its name to the league championship for 2009. In addition to Kansas and Oklahoma, Kansas State and Texas will compete for the Big 12 championship trophy.

Competition on May 2 begins at 10:30 a.m. and will include five races – First Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight, Varsity Four, First Novice Eight and Second Novice Eight.

Since 1998, Kansas, Kansas State and Texas have participated in a Big 12 Invitational regatta eight times, including the 2006 and 2007 events hosted by KU at Wyandotte County Lake. Through the work of the Parks and Recreation Department of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Wyandotte County Lake is home to Kansas rowing through the 2010-11 season due to bridge construction on I-70 at the Kansas River near Lawrence. Visit Wyandotte County Park and Lake at www.wycokck.org/parks.