LAWRENCE, Kan. For the third-straight year, the Kansas State women’s rowing team defeated rival Kansas in both team’s annual Sunflower Showdown held Friday on the Kansas River.

The Wildcats won three out of the five races for a total of 12 points. Kansas State’s Kendra Jones (cox), Abby Miller, Stacey Schockman, Amy Noonan and Cali Dunham, set the tone early with a winning time of 8:27.2 in the Novice Four race.

In the closest race of the day, the Second Novice Eight boat comprised of Sheridan Larson (cox), Maureen McKiernan, Erin Martin, Bjai Rice, Veronica Blair, Michelle Kyle, Blythe Weir, Joleen Wilson and Paige Fennelly, sprinted a mere five-tenths of a second (7:39.4) ahead of KU (7:39.9) for the win.

K-State’s First Varsity Eight boat powered by Stephanie Black (cox), Linzi Hauldren, Stacey Waldman, Morgan Steele, Grace Riekenberg, Danielle Scott, Kaci Williams, Amy Wagner and Megan Hauver, held on to a three-second lead (6:28.5) to seal the victory over the Jayhawks (6:31.8).

“All of the races were close and we stayed right in there with Kansas,” Head Coach Patrick Sweeney said. “I was very pleased with how well the First Varsity Eight performed. They showed very good technique and good composure. KU led for the first 600-meters of the race and our girls kept going and going and eventually came out in front. It’s always nice to finish the last race of the fall season on a good note and win because of the rivalry between both schools.”

The Wildcats head into winter and spring training and will start back up for the spring season on March 18-20 at the Longhorn Invitational in Austin, Texas.

SUNFLOWER SHOWDOWN
Kansas State 12, Kansas 10
Nov. 12, 2004
Kansas River
at Lawrence, Kan.

FIRST VARSITY EIGHT (8 Points)
1, Kansas State, 6:28.5. 2, Kansas, 6:31.8.

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT (5 Points)
1, Kansas, 6:41.4. 2, Kansas State, 6:44.9.

FIRST NOVICE EIGHT (5 Points)
1, Kansas, 7:18.2, 2, Kansas State, 7:52.8.

SECOND NOVICE EIGHT (3 Points)
1, Kansas State, 7:39.4. 2, Kansas, 7:39.9.

NOVICE FOUR (1 Point)
1, Kansas State, 8:27.2. 2, Kansas, 8:31.7.