March 24, 2002

Austin, Texas - Kansas State finished its weekend in strong style on Sunday, defeating Clemson in the first varsity eight race on the final day of the Longhorn Invitational rowing event held at Austin's Town Lake.

The Wildcat first varsity eight covered the 2,000-meter course in 7:13.7 to defeat the Tigers by more than four seconds. K-State's first varsity eight had beaten SMU and Tulsa on Saturday.

"This is probably the biggest win we've had in the last six years," said K-State head coach Jenny Hale. "Clemson has been a top-20 program in the last couple years and rowed right with Iowa yesterday. Iowa has been in the top 10 recently, so it shows that we're right there with some of those programs.

"In the first varsity eight races, we ended up coming out the second-fastest behind Texas."

Hale said the focus in Saturday and Sunday's races was to come out more aggressively in the opening 500 meters, a stretch in which the Wildcats fell behind in a loss to Texas on Friday. Another adjustment the Wildcats made over the weekend was to put Brandy Sherwood in as the coxswain in the first varsity eight boat.

"We made the adjustment and executed very well," said Hale. "I couldn't be prouder. We go for the win, we went for the margin, which is important for us right now.

"We have a lot of work to do, but I think everyone's head is in the right place right now. We're excited about doing the work necessary. The first varsity eight is as fast as we've been since the inception of the program. We need to keep adding layers of depth below that group."

Clemson won the other three races held Sunday, including the first novice eight, the varsity fours and the second varsity eights. The second varsity eight lost by 10 seconds to the Tigers.

Kansas State travels to the Hawkeye Invitational next weekend in Iowa City, Iowa.

KANSAS STATE vs. CLEMSON

First Novice Eight - 1. Clemson 8:18.5, 2. Kansas State (Cox: Melissa Holder, 8: Linzi Hauldren, 7: Sarah Trapp, 6: Renee Ecklund, 5: Grace Riekenberg, 4: Abby Betzen, 3: Sally Lanigan, 2: Carolyn Miller, Bow: Lindsay Gourlay), 8:58.5.

First Varsity Four - 1. Clemson 8:37.1, 2. Kansas State (Cox: Katrina Regehr, 4: Susie Truax, 3: Angela Murray, 2: Anne Hagerman, Bow: Jill Anderson), 9:05.4.

Second Varsity Eight - 1. Clemson, 7:39.6, 2. Kansas State (Cox: Elane Walker, 8: Talara Wait, 7: Amy Herrmann, 6: Katie Baxter, 5: Lori Holcomb, 4: Lindsey Hahn, 3: Ingrid Schwaiko, 2: Marja-Lisa Paulson, Bow: Amiee Finkbeiner), 7:49.8.

First Varsity Eight - 1. Kansas State (Cox: Brandy Sherwood, 8: Sam Allen, 7: Josie McClellan, 6: Glenna Yokum, 5: Lara Schrock, 4: Courtney Franssen, 3: Carissa Land, 2: Katy Bockelman, Bow: Alyssa Adams), 7:13.7, 2. Clemson, 7:18.4.

Also Sunday:

Second Novice Eight - 1. Texas, 8:06.1, 2. Kansas State (Cox: Ashley Luney, 8: Amber Jaklevich, 7: Kate Rulifson, 6: Melesa Lorett, 5: Crystal Borhani, 4: Kelsey Cook, 3: Terri Keeler, 2: Jorie Spesard, Bow: Jennifer Strong), 8:47.9.

--ksu--