"Rowing is allowed a foreign tour every four years and we have a strong group of graduating seniors who have been quite tight throughout their college careers," said Kansas State head women's rowing coach Jenny Hale. "Each individual must come up with one-third of the funds for the trip, so they are truly making this happen of their own accord."

Some of the changes to the schedule are the cancellation of a home dual against Creighton to kick of the season, as well as trips to Northeastern and Indiana in April. The Wildcats will instead start their season with an intrasquad race next Saturday, March 8 on Tuttle Creek Lake and a trip to the Longhorn Invitational in Austin, Texas March 21-23.

"I feel we have one of our most challenging schedules since the program's inception," Hale said. "The Longhorn Invitational has grown each year in its competitiveness and we will face Texas, Duke, SMU and Tulsa."

The Kansas Cup race, April 19, promises to be a memorable one as the Kansas State rowing programs celebrate their 40-year history as well as break ground on a new boathouse being built at Tuttle Creek. Rowing fans will be treated to both men's and women's races, a brunch, and the boathouse groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday morning, followed by an alumni dinner at the Kansas State Alumni Association building that evening.

"The day will be a unique opportunity for the rowing community in Kansas to honor 40 years of rowing at Kansas State and to break ground on a new boathouse facility," Hale said.

Kansas State has added the George Washington Invitational Crew Classic on April 12 to its road plans. At the Invitational the Cats will square off against the likes of Columbia, Tennessee, Georgetown and Navy. In addition, the Wildcats are looking forward to hosting a triangular with Iowa and Clemson on March 29 in Manhattan.

For more information on Kansas State women's rowing please visit www.kstatesports.com.

March 21-23 at Longhorn Invitational -Austin, Texas

April 5-6 at San Diego Crew Classic -San Diego, Calif.

April 12 at George Washington Invitational Crew Classic -Washington, D.C.

May 3 at Big XII Invitational Regatta -Lawrence, Kan.

May 16-17 at Central/South Sprints -Oak Ridge, Tenn.

May 29-31 at NCAA Championships -Indianapolis, Ind.

June 20-22 at Women's Royal Henley Regatta -Henley, England

--ksu--