Kansas Swim and Dive to Host Sixth-Annual Sunflower Showdown in Season Opener

Kansas Swim and Dive to Host Sixth-Annual Sunflower Showdown in Season Opener

10/3/2024 12:21:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving

LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Kansas women's swimming and diving team is set to host the sixth-annual Sunflower Showdown for the team's season opener, with action kicking off on Friday, Oct. 4 at 2:00 p.m. CT inside Robinson Natatorium.

Alongside Kansas, the Sunflower Showdown will feature the University of Saint Mary (KS), Barton Community College and Sterling College.

"We're looking forward to the start of the season and getting back to racing with our friends from all of the Kansas collegiate swim and dive programs," said KU head coach Clark Campbell, who enters his 23rd season in 2024-25.

The Jayhawks return All-Big 12 selections in sophomore diver Shiyun Lai, junior swimmer Lydia Lafferty and senior swimmer Lezli Sisung. Lai, a three-time Big 12 weekly award winner last season, was also named an Honorable Mention All-American (1m & 3m), CSCAA Second Team All-American (1m & 3m) and CSCAA Scholar All-American for the 2023-24 season.

In 2023-24, the Jayhawks finished in seventh place with 647.50 points at the Big 12 Women's Swimming and Diving Championships. Lai led the way for Kansas after being named the Big 12 Newcomer Diver of the Meet. Lai also punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships, leading Kansas to a 32nd-place finish. The Jayhawks finished second of six participating Big 12 programs and outscored 37 different schools at NCAA's.

The Jayhawks return eight seniors for the 2024-25 season in Addi Barnes, Brigid Gwidt, Ellie Howe, Claire Hyatt, Eleni Kotzamanis, Karla Lessing, Maggie Moore and Sisung, while also welcoming 10 newcomers to this year's squad.

The Sunflower Showdown will feature 10 swimming events, with the one-meter and three-meter diving events taking place concurrently.

HOW TO FOLLOW
Admission is free for all fans who wish to attend. No longer using Meet Mobile, fans can visit here for live scoring, heat sheets and more information on the Sunflower Showdown. Live updates will also be available from the official Kansas Swimming and Diving X account. For a live stream of the meet, click here.

ORDER OF EVENTS
Friday, Oct. 4 (2:00 p.m.)
Diving while take place concurrently
200 Medley Relay
200 Freestyle
200 IM
50 Freestyle
100 Butterfly
100 Freestyle
500 Freestyle
100 Backstroke
100 Breaststroke
200 Freestyle Relay