Rowing Fall Season Recap
Nov. 14, 2006
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Kansas Rowing defeated Kansas State, 14-11, in the Sunflower Showdown Nov. 11 to end its fall season. KU participated in four competitions this season including the Head of the Oklahoma, Head of the Iowa and Head of the Hooch.
The Jayhawks’ first action of the season took place in Oklahoma City for the Head of the Oklahoma regatta Sept. 30-Oct. 1. The Jayhawks came away with the top two spots in the Novice Four and placed second in the Novice Eight. Kansas also dominated the Collegiate Doubles and Singles action. Kansas had seven of the top 12 finishes in the doubles with sneior Alia Bober and junior Kara Boston leading the way. Senior Tiffany Jeffers lead Kansas, which held eight of the top nine spots in the singles.
The Head of the Oklahoma is unique because it is the only collegiate regatta in the country to have night racing. At night, KU placed third in the Collegiate Eights. During the day, the Jayhawks finished fourth in the same event.
“It was a really good start to the season,” head coach Rob Catloth said. “We competed very well and I think this is a good starting point for the rest of the year.”
Kansas would be off for nearly a month before returning with a full squad to the Head of the Iowa. The Iowa City regatta marked the first action for the novice team. Kansas took second place in both the Open Four and Lightweight Four races. KU’s Open Eight boat placed seventh among a strong field of participants.
“There was a lot of good competition here with Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Kansas State,” said Catloth. “So for our first race against that kind of competition, I think we did pretty well.”
The Jayhawks spent the following weekend in Chattanooga, Tenn., for the Head of the Hooch. Another strong field of participants awaited the `Hawks in Tennessee, but Kansas managed to deliver numerous medals. Kansas took first place in the Open Eight, Lightweight Single and Championship Double races. Kansas placed second in both the Open Four and Championship Four races. The singles races were opportunities for individual Jayhawks to shine as senior LlynnAnn Laugesen, junior Annie Sims, junior Elisheva Patterson and sophomore Brooke Castrop all placed in the top three for their respective races.
“We started off the weekend with a good Saturday,” said Catloth. “And we followed that up with an even stronger Sunday.” The strong performance made for a confident team heading into the dual with Kansas State the following weekend.
The Jayhawks started off quickly in their dual with Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan. as they took the first two races. Kansas opened the competition with a strong performance by the Second Varsity Eight crew, and followed that up with another victory in the First Varsity Eight race to take a commanding 13-0 lead. The Wildcats clawed back by winning the next three races but Kansas closed out the Wildcats by taking the Third Novice Eight race and winning the overall competition, 14-11.
“It is always nice to end your fall season with a victory over your in-state rival,” said Catloth. “The fall proved to be very beneficial for us and now we know what we have to work on over the winter to get ready for next spring.”
The Jayhawks’ next competition will be a home regatta featuring Texas and SMU on March 24, 2007.
