April 1, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan.—Kansas rowing will host Kansas State in the Kansas Cup on Saturday April 3 at Wyandotte County Lake in Kansas City, Kan. Racing starts at 10 a.m. with the Jayhawks looking to avenge a 12-8 loss to the Wildcats last April.

“It’s our biggest rival in rowing because Missouri and some of the other schools don’t have rowing,” said head coach Rob Catloth. “It’s always important to perform well and at your best when you’re going against your biggest rival.”

Last season Kansas led for much of the competition, but Kansas State managed to pull ahead for the Cup clinching win in the First Varsity Eight.

This will be the first meeting of the two teams in head-to-head racing this season. The Jayhawks were scheduled to face the Wildcats in Manhattan, Kan., in the fall, but weather forced the cancellation of that race.

“It’s really early in the season,” Catloth said. “[We] started racing two weeks earlier than we normally do so in your mind it throws you off a little bit. Traditionally this is the second race of the year for us. Our main goal is to peak by the first of May for Big 12s and then on to the South-Centrals for the middle part of May.”

Kansas will travel to Lewisberry, Pa., for two days of head-to-head competition. The Jayhawks will first face Old Dominion and Rhode Island on Saturday April 10 and Bucknell on Sunday April 11.

Racing Schedule

10:00am          2nd Novice 8        (KU vs. KU)   

10:15am          1st Novice 8         (KU vs. KSU)  - 3 points

10:30am          Open Four            (KU, KU, vs. KSU) – 1 point 

10:45am          1st Varsity Four    (KU vs. KSU)  - 3 points

11:00am          2nd Varsity Eight   (KU vs. KSU)  - 5 points

11:15am          1st Varsity Eight    (KU vs. KSU)  - 8 points