Kansas Sweeps Kansas State to Win Third Straight Dillions Sunflower Showdown

Saturday, April 11

Kansas City, Kan.

9 a.m. CT

University of Kansas

Kansas State

Kansas Sweeps Kansas State to Win Third Straight Dillions Sunflower Showdown

4/11/2026 1:39:00 PM | Women's Rowing

2026 Sunflower Showdown Results

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Kansas Rowing scored a sweep against Kansas State and Creighton on Saturday morning at Wyandotte County Lake Park, outscoring their opponents with an impressive 22–0. With the wins, Kansas has secured three consecutive Dillons Sunflower Showdown trophies.

"I'm really proud of the job that our team did today," head coach Andrew Derrick said. "Sometimes we've struggled to show our speed that we've been seeing in practice on race day, but I think they did a much better job of stepping up and showing what we're capable of. I'm really happy for the seniors as well. They're the ones that led the way."

Starting the regatta out strong, the III Eight crew of seniors Lauren Burright and Naida Paschal, junior Andronika Dyer, sophomores Morgan Tenpenny and Audrey Crowson and freshmen Samantha Ronen, Ashley Herbert, Suyin Howard and Talia Copoloff outpaced the Wildcats by over 20 seconds, crossing the finish line at 6:51.467 to earn Kansas' first victory of the day.

Kansas added to their overall point total in the II Four race, courtesy of senior Abby Steffen, junior Kayley Chism, sophomores Emerson Linthicum and Isabel Smikahl and freshman Hollis Andreen, landing in first over Kansas State and Creighton with a time of 7:32.1.

Senior Rory Brennan, junior Sofia D'Ascenzo, sophomore Grace Bailey and freshmen Izzy Rossato and Megan Engerman posted a winning time of 7:24.64 in the I Four boat race, positioning the Jayhawks in a strong standing over their opponents.

Coming in at 6:50.279, the II Eight boat (seniors Anastasiia Draha, Martina Zbiralova, Catherine Bachovchin and Aylin Schafer; junior Alexandra Robinson; sophomores Kaylie Hellner and Kyra Kavouridis; and freshmen Kenzington Rector and Katariina Peipman) gained an additional victory to give the Jayhawks the upper hand in their efforts to complete a sweep in the Dillions Sunflower Showdown.

Finally, strong performances from senior Kara Lyons; juniors Kathryn Borthwick, Gretchen Schmeirer-Knust, Tya Drennen, Eva Robinson, Gracie Shepherd, Sophie Pense and Ruby Moritz-Cammack; and freshman Claire Van Mater of the I Eight boat completed the 22-0 sweep by closing out race day with a 6:47.07 time.

FINAL SCORES

III Eight Race: Kansas – 2 points

II Four Race: Kansas – 2 points

I Four Race: Kansas – 3 points

II Eight Race: Kansas – 6 points

I Eight Race: Kansas – 9 points

UP NEXT

KU Rowing travels to Raleigh, North Carolina, for the Lake Wheeler Invite where they will take on strong, multi-conference opponents on April 24-25. Race times will be announced soon.