Kansas Seniors Ready for Sunflower Showdown
LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the second-straight weekend, the University of Kansas rowing team will be on the water at Wyandotte County Lake. The Jayhawks will welcome Kansas State to Kansas City, Kansas to compete for the Kansas Cup in the annual Sunflower Showdown, Saturday, May 2, at 11 a.m.
KU vs. KSU History
The rivalry series started in 1998 and has continued ever since. Kansas dominated the competition early as the Jayhawks won six in a row from 1999-2004. Kansas State leads the all-time series 10-7 over Kansas, with the Jayhawks’ last victory coming in 2010. Saturday will mark the eighth-straight year the showdown has taken place in Kansas City. Before Wyandotte County Lake became the race site in 2008, the annual regatta was held each year in either Manhattan or Lawrence.
“Our team takes a lot of pride in this race,” stated Kansas head coach Rob Catloth. “I think fans will see really close racing on Saturday. I’m expecting some really tight racing in all the events. We need to give it our all and just be committed to racing as hard as we can. It comes down to want and will: if you want it bad enough, you’re going to will yourself to do it.”
Around the Lake
Fans coming out for Saturday’s races can find Wyandotte County Lake by taking I-435 North from I-70 near The Legends, then heading east on Leavenworth road or click here for directions. There will be a $5 charge for parking and concessions will be available.
Schedule of Events
11:00 AM – Third Varsity Four (1 point)
11:12 AM – Third Varsity Eight (2 points)
11:24 AM – Second Varsity Four (2 points)
11:36 AM – First Varsity Four (3 points)
11:48 AM – Second Varsity Eight (6 points)
12:00 PM – First Varsity Eight (9 points)
About Kansas
The Jayhawks are looking to continue an impressive spring season, which includes multiple wins at the Louisville Invite, at the Knecht Cup and at SMU in additional to several top times. Last weekend, the Jayhawks had a strong morning session in the Big 12 vs. Big Ten double dual against stiff competition. Defending Big 12 Conference champion Oklahoma, Iowa and No. 9 Wisconsin all made the trip to Kansas City. The competition prior, Kansas’ First Varsity Eight was dubbed the Big 12 Boat of the Week after taking first place in the petite final at the Knecht Cup.
Follow the Jayhawks
Live results will be posted on Twitter @KU_Rowing with full coverage at KUAthletics.com following the competition. Fans can also download the Periscope app and follow Kansas Rowing to get an up-close look at the action.
Class of 2015
Saturday marks Senior Day for the Jayhawks’ class of 2015. Kansas will recognize nine seniors after the conclusion of racing. This senior class has left an imprint on the Kansas program during the course of their careers and has experienced much success on and off the water.
“A lot of these ladies have been in top boats throughout their careers here,” stated Catloth. “I think Brooke (Thuston) has been in the Varsity Eight for most of her career, Claudijah (Lever) has been a major player in the boats since her sophomore year. As a group, they’ve been a strong class that’s worked hard and had a lot of success. It’s sad to see them go, but I think they’ve had good careers here.”
Senior Accolades
Julia Alvey-
2012-13 Second-Place in the Second Varsity Eight at the Big 12 Championships
2013-14 Second-place finish in the Second Varsity Eight Grand Finals of the Conference USA Championship
2013-14 Fall Athletic Director’s and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2013-14 C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2013-14 Big 12 All-Academic First Team
2014-15 Fall Athletic Director’s and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
Erin Brogan-
2011-12 KU Outstanding Newcomer
2011-12 Chosen as one of just 24 rowers from around the country to attend the US Rowing National Team Freshman Camp
2012-13 Third-place in the Second Varsity Eight at the C-USA Championships
2012-13 Second-place in the Second Varsity Eight at the Big 12 Championships
2013-14 Second-place in the Second Varsity Eight at the C-USA Championships
Kristen Byrd-
2012-13 First-place finish in the Fourth Varsity Eight at the Big 12 Championships
2013-14 Second-place in the Open Four (B) at the C-USA Championships
2013-14 First-place in the Fourth Varsity Eight at the Big 12 Championships
Alexa Fowlkes-
2013-14 Second-place in the Second Varsity Eight Grand Finals at the C-USA Championships
2013-14 Fourth-place overall in the Second Varsity Eight at the Big 12 Championships
Allie Griffin-
2012-13 Fifth-place finish in the Open Four at the C-USA Championships
2013-14 Second-place in the Second Varsity Eight at the C-USA Championships
2013-14 Fourth-place overall in the Second Varsity Eight at the Big 12 Championships
Jennifer Hartzler-
2012-13 Third-place in the Second Varsity Eight at the C-USA Championships
2012-13 Second-place in the Second Varsity Eight at the Big 12 Championships
2012-13 Academic All-Big 12 First Team
2013-14 Second-place in the Open Four (A) at the C-USA Championships
2013-14 Second-place in the Second Varsity Four at the Big 12 Championships
2013-14 Fall Athletic Director’s and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2013-14 C-USA Honor Roll
2013-14 Academic All-Big 12 First Team
2014-15 Fall Athletic Director’s and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
Sarah Lasini-
2012-13 Third-place finish in the Open Four at the C-USA Championships
2012-13 Second-place in the Second Varsity Four at the Big 12 Championships
2012-13 First Team Academic All Big 12
2013-14 Second-place in the Open Four at the C-USA Championships
2013-14 Second-place in the Second Varsity Four at the Big 12 Championships
2013-14 Fall Athletic Director’s and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2013-14 C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2013-14 Academic All-Big 12 First Team
Claudijah Lever-
2012-13 Third-place in the Second Varsity Eight at the C-USA Championships
2012-13 Second-place in the Second Varsity Eight at the Big 12 Championships
2013-14 Third-place in the First Varsity Eight at the Big 12 Championships
2013-14 Fall Athletic Director’s and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2013-14 C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2013-14 Academic All-Big 12 First Team
2014-15 Marlene Mawson Award
Brooke Thuston-
2011-12 KU’s Most Improved Newcomer
2012-13 Fourth-place in the First Varsity Eight at the C-USA Championships
2012-13 Academic All-Big 12 Second Team
2013-14 Third-place in the First Varsity Eight at the Big 12 Championships
2013-14 Fall Athletic Director’s and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2013-14 C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
2013-14 Academic All-Big 12 First Team
2014-15 Fall Athletic Director’s and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
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