MANHATTAN, Kan. The Kansas State women’s rowing team opens the 2005 spring season this weekend at the Longhorn Invitational on March 18-20 in Austin, Texas.

The three-day event will include competition with crews from Duke, Iowa, SMU, Texas, Tulsa and the University of Victoria as well as a club team from UT. K-State is one-of-five schools making its fifth-straight appearance at the invitational to be held on Town Lake.

“All the training is coming together nicely for this competition,” Kansas State head coach Patrick Sweeney said. “We are ready to race. The multiple races this weekend will allow us to gain the sharpness we lack, which can only come through race experience. For the Varstiy boats coming up against nationally-ranked crews (No. 15 Texas and No. 17 Duke), we will get to see how close we are to a top 20 ranking. With the Novices, it is always fun to see them learn from each race and how they respond to the competition.”

The race will feature head-to-head competition among the schools, with K-State scheduled to meet up with five of the seven teams in the field. The Wildcats’ first battle on the water is set for Friday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. when the Second Novice Eight competes against UT Crew's First Novice Eight. K-State’s First Novice Eight, Second Varsity Eight and First Varsity Eight squads will then face Tulsa at 5:50 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. respectively.

Action continues on Saturday, March 19, with races scheduled against Big 12 rival Texas and SMU. The Wildcats conclude the weekend with competition against Duke on Sunday, March 20.

Last season at the Longhorn Invitational, K-State placed first against boats from Duke (1N8), Iowa (1N8, 2N8) and SMU (1V8). Complete race results can be accessed at: www.texassports.com.

LONGHORN INVITATIONAL RACE SCHEDULE
Friday, March 18 at 4-6 p.m.
5:30 p.m. - Second Novice Eight - K-State vs. Texas Crew (1N8)
5:50 p.m. - First Novice Eight - K-State vs. Tulsa
6:00 p.m. - Second Varsity Eight - K-State vs. Tulsa
6:20 p.m. - First Varsity Eight - K-State vs. Tulsa

Saturday, March 19 at 8-10 a.m.
8:00 a.m. - Second Novice Eight - K-State vs. Texas
8:10 a.m. - First Novice Eight - K-State vs. Texas
8:20 a.m. - Second Varsity Eight - K-State vs. Texas
8:30 a.m. - First Varsity Eight - K-State vs. Texas

Saturday, March 19 at 4-6 p.m.
4:20 p.m. - Second Novice Eight - K-State vs. Texas
4:30 p.m. - First Novice Eight - K-State vs. SMU
4:40 p.m. - Second Novice Eight - K-State vs. Texas
4:50 p.m. - First Varsity Eight - K-State vs. SMU

Sunday, March 20 at 8-10 a.m.
8:50 a.m. - Second Novice Eight - K-State vs. Duke
9:00 a.m. - First Novice Eight - K-State vs. Duke
9:10 a.m. - Second Varsity Eight - K-State vs. Duke
9:20 a.m. - First Varsity Eight - K-State vs. Duke

KANSAS STATE LINEUPS
1V8: Cox: Stephanie Black, 8: Linzi Hauldren, 7: Kaci Williams, 6: Morgan Steele, 5: Grace Riekenberg, 4: Danielle Scott, 3: Larissa Kesler, 2: Amy Wagner, 1: Megan Hauver.

2V8: Cox: Claire Johnson, 8: Rachel Freeman, 7: Stacey Waldman, 6: Katie Williams, 5: Kristin Alstatt, 4: Megan Burki, 3: Sarah Jo Trapp, 2: Jamie Holt, 1: Jacque Crockford.

1N8: Cox: Melissa Cessna, 8: Alexis Johnson, 7: Jennifer Reuss, 6: Bailey Bunck, 5: Bjai Rice, 4: Lauren Galle, 3: Kelsey Frasier, 2: Seantella Cottner, 1: Joleen Wilson.

2N8: Cox: Kendra Jones and Sheridan Larson (will switch out races), 8: Abby Miller, 7: Maureen McKiernan, 6: Megan Beeman, 5: Erin Martin, 4: Blythe Weir, 3: Jill Hocking, 2: Amy Noonen, 1: Erin Miles.