MANHATTAN, Kan. The gears have been in constant motion this spring for the Kansas State women’s rowing team and the daily grind has led up to this weekend’s Big 12 Rowing Invitational to be held on Sunday, April 30, at Wyandotte County Lake in Kansas City, Kan.

With a week off from competition and having already put together a successful spring season thus far, the Wildcats get ready to compete against conference rivals Kansas and Texas. This will be the sixth annual regatta featuring the three Big 12 Conference schools, but the first to be held away from Manhattan, Lawrence or Austin. Historically, K-State was the second Big 12 school to add women’s rowing as a varsity sport, while Kansas was first in 1995 and Texas in 1998.

The Wildcats have already competed this spring against the Jayhawks and Longhorns, but not in full-on head-to-head competition. All three schools row a similar spring schedule with travel and competition at multi-crew regattas including the Longhorn Invitational, the San Diego Crew Classic and Southern IRA’s. Earlier this month, Kansas State defeated in-state rival KU for its second-straight Kansas Cup victory on April 8. K-State, however, placed third at last year’s invitational held in Austin, but has been closing the gap against both schools ever since.

"We have once again made small changes in the lineups as this is the final chance to see combinations and give our athletes a chance to show themselves under race conditions, before we head to NCAA Regionals,” Kansas State head coach Patrick Sweeney said. “The team has raced well to date and is continuing to show signs of being able to go faster.”

Racing is scheduled to begin Sunday morning at 11 a.m. and will feature six races in the Novice Four, Second Novice Eight, First Novice Eight, Varsity Four, Second Varsity Eight and First Varsity Eight. This year’s event is hosted by the Unified Government WYCO/KCK and Recreation Department, the Kansas City Kansas-Wyandotte County Convention & Visitors Bureau and University of Kansas Athletics.

Complete race results from the Big 12 Invitational can be accessed at: www.kuathletics.com.

Location:

Wyandotte County Lake & Park (Beach Shelter)

91st and Leavenworth Road

Kansas City, KS  66109

Directions to Wyandotte County Lake & Park (Beach Shelter location): From I-70 take I-435 North to Leavenworth Road (Exit 15). Travel east 1.7 miles to 91st Street. Take 91st Street North of Leavenworth Road which will bring you into the park. When water is in view make a left turn and then make a right hand turn at the ballfields. The Beach Shelter is located 1.5 miles from the main lake entrance.

BIG 12 INVITATIONAL RACE SCHEDULE

11:00 a.m. Novice Four

11:12 a.m. Second Novice Eight

11:24 a.m. First Novice Eight

11:36 a.m. Varsity Four

11:48 a.m. Second Varsity Eight

Noon First Varsity Eight

KANSAS STATE LINEUPS

1V8: Cox: Claire Johnson, 8: Megan Hauver, 7: Kaci Williams, 6: Alexis Johnson, 5: Jennifer Flannigan, 4: Bjai Rice, 3: Larissa Kesler, 2: Heather Hoffman, 1: Heather Gerstner.

2V8: Cox: Stephanie Black, 8: Amy Wagner, 7: Jacque Crockford, 6: Kari Chadd, 5: Kristin Alstatt, 4: Kelsey Frasier, 3: Elise vander Putten, 2: Danielle Scott, 1: Jamie Holt.

V4: Cox: Melissa Cessna, 4: Rachel Freeman, 3: Bailey Bunck, 2: Veronica Noonan, 1: Jennifer Reuss.

1N8: Cox: Anna Wagner, 8: Amber Mulyck, 7: Michael Knoll, 6: Kate Priest, 5: Whitney Revell, 4: Jayme File, 3: Carlee Parke, 2: Julia Roque, 1: Michelle Higgins.