Kansas Races Kansas State in Sunflower Showdown

Oct. 23, 2010

MANHATTAN, Kan. –

Kansas rowing competed against Kansas State in the Sunflower Showdown on a windy Saturday morning at Tuttle Creek Reservoir.

Kansas won the Varsity Four race while Kansas State won the other varsity and novice races. Due to the windy conditions, the teams had to utilize “floating starts,” meaning that the races could not successfully begin from the starting platforms so the two teams allowed their boats to float until they were close to the same area of the course and then began racing. As a result, all race distances and times were unofficial.

Kansas head rowing coach Rob Catloth said the team is still on track in the big picture for the year.

“We feel like what we tried to accomplish today we did a good job at,” said Catloth. “We’re in step with where we want to be right now as we finish up the fall and get ready for the spring.”

The Sunflower Showdown also marked the first competition for 27 novices. Kansas novice rowing coach Jen Myers said the racing experience would help the team improve.

“It was good to get our first race under our belt,” said Myers. “I think we have a lot of talent and a ton of room to improve. Everything we do is a learning experience.”

Kansas will conclude the fall season with the Head of the Hooch regatta in Chattanooga, Tenn., in two weeks.