MANHATTAN, Kan. The Kansas State women’s rowing team sets its sights on the upcoming NCAA Central Regionals (Aramark Central/South Sprints) to be held on May 13-14 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Automatic qualifiers for the 2006 NCAA Championships on May 26-28 in West Windsor, N.J., are winners of the Central, South, Pac-10 and Eastern Sprints.

"Even though our final preparations for this race are at a difficult time for the students (during finals week), they have gone well,” Kansas State head coach Patrick Sweeney said. “And, our goal remains the same, to achieve eighth place or better in the Central Region. This would be the best performance ever by a K-State team."

Eight of this weekend’s opponents are ranked among the top 20 in the latest USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association NCAA Division I Varsity Eight Coaches Poll including No. 4 Ohio State, No. 6 Michigan, No. 9 Minnesota, No. 10 Notre Dame, No. 14 Michigan State, No. 15 Virginia, No. 19 Central Florida and No. 20 Wisconsin. Host Tennessee is receiving votes as well as Duke and Louisville.

With the many strides the team has made this spring, the Wildcats will look to turn in top performances after seeing faster times this season on the water. Last season, K-State placed 11th regionally.

Central Sprints is unique in that it runs in conjunction with South Sprints, which makes for a highly-competitive environment. The 21-team field will compete on Melton Hill Lake, one of the nation’s top rowing venues. Complete race results for the NCAA Central Regionals can be accessed at: www.utladyvols.com or www.row2K.com.

NCAA CENTRAL REGIONALS RACE SCHEDULE

First Varsity Eight Heat 2, Saturday at 11:20 a.m.

A/B Semifinals (1-3), Saturday at 4:00 or 4:10 p.m.

• Grand Final (1-3) at Sunday at 11:40 a.m.
• Petite Final (4-6) at Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

C/D Semifinals (4-5), Saturday at 3:40 or 3:50 p.m.

• C Final (1-3), Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
• D Final (4-5), Sunday at 9:10 a.m.

Second Varsity Eight Heat 4, Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

A/B Semifinals (1-3), Saturday at 3:20 or 3:30 p.m.

• Grand Final (1-3), Sunday at 11:20 a.m.
• Petite Final (4-6), Sunday at 11:10 a.m.

C/D Semifinals (4-5), Saturday at 3:00 or 3:10 p.m.

• C Final (1-3), Sunday at 9:50 a.m.
• D Final (4), Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

First Novice Eight Heat 2, Saturday at 9:40 a.m.

Grand Final (1), Sunday at 10:40 a.m.

Repechage 1 and 2 (2-7), Saturday at 2:20 or 2:30 p.m.

• Grand Final (1-2), Sunday at 10:40 a.m.
• Petite Final (3-5), Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
• C Final (6), Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Varsity Four Heat 2 at 10:10 a.m.

A/B Semifinals (1-4), Saturday at 2:40 or 2:50 p.m.

• Grand Final (1-3), Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
• Petite Final (4-6), Sunday at 10:50 a.m.
• C Final (5-6), Sunday at 9:40 a.m.

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.