Kansas Rowing To Compete in Sunflower Showdown on Saturday

Oct. 21, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas rowing will travel to Manhattan, Kan. on Saturday, Oct. 23 to compete against Kansas State in the Sunflower Showdown. The duel will feature two Varsity Eight races, a Varsity Four race and two Novice Eight races.

Rather than focusing on the rivalry aspect of it, Kansas head rowing coach Rob Catloth said this early in the season the team is focused on improvement.

“We want to improve from where we were in Oklahoma and race to the best of our ability,” said Catloth. “It always means something racing Kansas State but the big race in the fall is the Head of the Hooch in Chattanooga (Tenn.) in November. This race is set up as a way to get together in the fall and doesn’t have the pressure that the one in the spring does.”

The Sunflower Showdown will also be the first opportunity for 27 novices to compete, as Kansas will enter two boats in the Second Novice Eight race.

“It’s important for them to get out and get their first experiences against their in-state rival,” said Catloth. “It gives them a little taste of rivalry week in their first-ever competition, so that’s good.”

The duel will begin at 9 a.m. at the Tuttle Creek Reservoir.

Race Schedule

9 a.m. – Second Novice Eight
9:15 a.m. – First Novice Eight
9:30 a.m. – Varsity Four
9:45 a.m. – Second Varsity Eight
10 a.m. – First Varsity Eight