AUSTIN, Texas   In the annual Big 12 Invitational, the Kansas State women’s rowing team finished third behind crews fielded by conference rivals Texas and Kansas Saturday at Town Lake.

The regatta’s first race was delayed two hours due to thunderstorms in the area. Under mostly cloudy weather conditions which created strong crosswinds and choppy waters, the Wildcats placed third in the First Varsity Eight (6:44.8), Second Varsity Eight (6:49.0) and First Varsity Four (7:54.0) races.

Turning in the best Wildcat finish of the day was the First Novice Eight boat comprised of coxswain Melissa Cessna, Maureen McKiernan, Erin Martin, Bailey Bunck, Seantella Cottner, Kelsey Frasier, Jennifer Reuss, Blythe Weir and Joleen Wilson. K-State maintained a 20-second lead over KU to take second (7:02.9) in the event.

“We were pretty pleased with the efforts by the Novice Eight and Varsity Four today,” Head Coach Patrick Sweeney said. “Overall, the times were fast, but we were not expecting the cold weather conditions to create such a tailwind. We struggled technique wise against the current and the Varsity Eight caught a crab 500 meters into their race, while the JV Eight raced a little conservative. We have one more event this season to see if we can race at the level we are capable of performing at.”

K-State wraps up its spring season at the Central Region Championships on May 14-15 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

BIG 12 INVITATIONAL
April 30, 2005
Town Lake
at Austin, Texas

TEAM SCORING
1, Texas, 53, 2, Kansas, 45, 3, Kansas State, 40.

FIRST VARSITY EIGHTS (27, 24, 21 points)
1, Texas, 6:26.3, 2, Kansas, 6:31.5, 3, Kansas State, 6:44.8.

SECOND VARSITY EIGHTS (14, 12, 10 points)
1, Texas, 6:37.2, 2, Kansas, 6:45.6, 3, Kansas State, 6:49.0.

FIRST VARSITY FOURS (7, 6, 5 points)
1, Texas, 7:25.0, 2, Kansas, 7:41.8, 3, Kansas State, 7:54.0.

FIRST NOVICE EIGHTS (5, 4, 3 points)
1, Texas, 6:50.7, 2, Kansas State, 7:02.9, 3, Kansas, 7:22.0.