MANHATTAN, Kan. The fall season comes to a close as the Kansas State women's rowing team hosts in-state rival Kansas in the ninth annual Sunflower Showdown on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Tuttle Creek Lake Reservoir.

K-State leads the all-time series with five wins over the Jayhawks. The Wildcats have won the last three-straight Sunflower Showdowns. This year's showdown is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. K-State will have six boats entered in the competition, while KU will have seven.

Last year’s showdown, held in Lawrence, saw K-State win three out of the five races, including the First Varsity 8+, Second Novice 8+ and Novice 4+. The rival schools alternate hosting their final race of the fall season.

The event is a 2,000 meter, side-by-side race format. It will be the first time of the season for the Wildcats to compete in this particular style of race. All other fall races have been Head races, where the distance is between 4,000 and 5,000 meters and the boats race in a time trial format. The side-by-side format is an exciting way for the teams to cap off their fall competition and head into winter training.

The Wildcats have made significant strides throughout the fall season. In its first race of the year, K-State turned a few heads at the Head of the Oklahoma on Oct. 1-2 in Oklahoma City. The First Varsity 8+ came away with a fourth-place finish in the 4,000-meter Head race and then edged past perennially-ranked Texas to win the 500-meter Ford Super Sprint.

In their first-ever collegiate rowing competition, the First Novice 8+ captured a gold medal in the Novice 8+ at the Head of the Oklahoma. They also claimed third-place in the 500-meter Ford Super Sprint.

K-State continued its winning ways by claiming first place in the Novice 8+ race over perennial national powerhouses Minnesota and Wisconsin at the Head of the Iowa on Oct. 30. The Wildcats are turning in the best fall performance by a Novice 8+ in school history.

Complete race results for the Sunflower Showdown can be accessed at: www.k-statesports.com.

Directions to Manhattan and Tuttle Creek Lake Reservoir: Exit 1-70 at Highway 177 (exit 313) and head North on 177 until reaching Manhattan. Remain in the right lane as you cross over the bridge and exit right to Hwy 24. Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp onto Tuttle Creek Blvd/Hwy 24. Go North on Tuttle Creek Blvd - US 24/State 177 (approx. 3.5 miles). Turn right onto State Hwy 13 toward the Tuttle Creek Dam. Proceed across the length of the dam and spillway (approx. 1.5 miles). Take first left onto Spillway Marina Drive and the next left will be Victory Drive (KSU Boathouse Driveway). Follow directions from event staff on where to park and how to proceed to the race viewing area.

SUNFLOWER SHOWDOWN RACE SCHEDULE (Scoring)

8:30 a.m. - 2V8+ (5 points)

8:40 a.m. - 1V8+ (8 points)

8:50 a.m. - 1N8+ (5 points)

9:00 a.m. - 2N8+ (3 points)

9:15 a.m. - V4+ (3 points)