OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - The Kansas State rowers pulled out a successful final day at the Southern IRA regatta, as both Varsity teams earned a top-three placing. The Second Varsity 8+ team earned a race victory, while the First Varsity 8+ boat took third.

"Both of our Varsity boats raced very well today" head coach Pat Sweeney said. "It was nice to see them really attack the races right from the starting line, and maintain good length and rhythm throughout the distance of the race.  Both crews showed real guts and determination.  We are making progress and getting faster, that is exactly what you want at this time in the season."

During the Second Varsity 8+ race, the Wildcats cruised to the title with a nearly five second margin over Purdue. K-State recorded a time of 6:57.90 while the Boilermakers finished with a mark of 7:02.66. To earn the win, KSU also defeated Tulsa, Kansas, SMU and Ohio State.

The First Varsity 8+ powered off the start to take an early lead.  The Wildcats had a 3-4 seat lead over the field through about the first 1000 meters. The Boilermakers would not go away, and managed to slowly gain ground on the Wildcats.  K-State kept a good rhythm and had impressive speed, but Purdue managed to push past with about 400 meters to go in the race.  With about 300 meters to go Alabama made a strong push and the Cats were fighting stroke for stroke with the Crimson Tide over the last 200 meters.  Alabama managed to clip the Cats at the line, by a mere 0.7 seconds.  The tight race found only four seconds separating first place from fourth.

In the Novice 8+, K-State recorded a fifth-place finish after crossing the line in 7:10.20.  This race was also hard-fought, with the pack very tight through the entire length of the course.  The Wildcats showed good improvement over the last week, as they raced more aggressive and at a higher rate.  K-State can measure their improvement as they were just 5.3 seconds behind Kansas, who they lost to one week ago by 17 seconds.

During the B Final of the Novice 4+, the Wildcats raced to sixth place with a time of 9:01.79. Clemson took the win over Jacksonville and Davidson, while SMU and Ohio State placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

The Wildcats' season will continue with the Kansas-Kansas State-Texas Tri-Meet on May 3rd in Austin, Texas. The rowing championship season will then continue with the NCAA Central/South Regionals on May 17th and 18th in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Sunday Results

N8+ A Final

1. Grand Valley 7:01.90, 2. Louisville 7:04.24, 3. Kansas 7:04.90, 4. Alabama 7:08.71, 5. K-State 7:10.20, 6. Purdue 7:16.60

2V8+ A Final

1. K-State 6:57.90, 2. Purdue 7:02.66, 3. Tulsa 7:05.76, 4. Kansas 7:07.21, 5. SMU 7:13.23, 6. Ohio State 7:24.90

1V8+ A Final

1. Purdue 6:47.50, 2. Alabama 6:49.50, 3. K-State 6:50.20, 4. Kansas 6:51.50, 5. SMU 6:57.10, 6. Grand Valley 6:58.30

N4+ B Final

7. Clemson 8:36.80, 8. Jacksonville 8:42.42, 9. Davidson 8:47.31, 10. SMU 8:48.58, 11. Ohio State 8:50.14, 12. Kansas State 9:01.79