Kansas State University Athletics
Saturday, March 16
Sacramento, Calif.
Kansas State University
at
Hornet Invitational
K-State Claims First Place in Seven Races at Hornet Invitational
Mar 19, 2024 | Rowing
The 1v4+ boat won all three of their races
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The K-State women's rowing team opened their season with seven first place finishes on Saturday and Sunday (March 16-17) in Sacramento, Calif. at Lake Natoma competing in the Hornet Invitational hosted by Sacramento State. Competition included the Hornets, UC San Diego and Saint Mary's.
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"It was a good weekend of racing. We got to put multiple lineups to the test and saw improvement from race to race," head coach Patrick Sweeney said. "Our athletes proved they are fit and strong, now we know what work needs to be done to see the speed we are capable of producing come out on race day."
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On Saturday (March 16), racing was split into a morning and an afternoon session. Racing continued with a morning session on Sunday (March 17).
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The weekend was highlighted by dominant performances by the 1v4+ who won each of their races by significant margins. The lineup consisted of sophomore coxswain Kiersten Schmalz, juniors Neva Roenne and Jordan Girkin, freshman Anna Guhr and junior Catie Wood.
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"Our racing improved from race to race. The first race against Sac State, our idea was to go for it regardless of what other boats in our race were doing. We finished with a time that gave us confidence and room for improvement," Roenne said. "For the St. Mary's race, we had an excellent start and walked through all other boats by the 300 meter mark. From that point we were racing ourselves. Our final race was our best, we dropped our time by over 10 seconds. We were able to stay on the power and win with considerable open water on UCSD. Our finish was especially sharp in that race."
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Saturday morning the boat finished with a time of 7:35.3, more than 20 seconds ahead of Sac State. The boat came in 1st during the afternoon at 7:35.7, nearly a minute ahead of St. Mary's. On Sunday morning, the boat finished more than 20 seconds ahead of UC San Diego with a final time of 7:25.2.
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"Personally, my goal for this season is to see improvement every single race this season whether that is in speed of the boat, execution of the rhythm or race plan, or anything else," Roenne said. "As a boat, our goal is to medal at Big 12s. We are sure that if we continue improving and really want that medal, it is very possible."
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The 1V8+, consisting of junior coxswain Paige Fox, juniors Gracyn McClain, Madison Koller, Rachel Harman, and Madelyn Barrett, sophomores Grace Hall and Sylvia Cunningham, junior Symone Simmons and sophomore Kay Pakkebier, opened Saturday morning with a time 6:45.7 finishing 2nd to Sac State.
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During Saturday afternoon, the boat came in 1st place against St. Mary's with a time of 6:44.0. The 1v8+ closed the weekend racing UC San Diego, finishing 2nd at 6:40.2.
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The 2V8+, consisting of sophomore coxswain Kennedy Loyd, junior Anna Ryan, sophomore Bianca Wollmeister, junior Emily Stark, sophomores Emma Johnson and Makenzie Storm and juniors Jayden Brandt, Grace Hendrickson and Halle Fee, opened the weekend with a win against Sac State at 6:57.5.
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The lineup shifted heading in the afternoon session— Loyd, Ryan, Fee, Stark, Johnson, Storm, Brandt, Hendrickson and Wollmeister—where the boat came away with another win finishing with a time of 7:02.2
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"I feel like every race for us was good competition and a different learning experience," Fee said. "We showed ourselves we are fit enough to race, now it's about breaking down little details to overall improve."
Â
On Sunday, the 2V8+ took 2nd place with the same lineup as Saturday morning, with a time of 6:56.7.
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"I'm excited for the rest of the season," Fee said. "I'm eager to see what we can do together and see how we match up with other competition."
Â
The 3v8+ competed in the 2v8+ race on Saturday morning as "K-State B", coming in 3rd with a time of 7:14.2. The lineup included freshmen coxswain Regan Ahlers, freshmen Emily Northcutt, Izzy Ross, Regan Reker, Lorelei Harris, Harmony Leiker, Madelyn Navrkal, Kiersten Playter and sophomore Kyla Traub.
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The boat competed in the 2v8+ race again during the afternoon session, finishing at 7:07.0, coming in 2nd only to K-State A. The lineup consisted of Ahlers, Northcutt, Harris, Reker, Ross, Leiker, Navrkal, Playter and Traub.
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"Overall, after the first weekend of racing I feel really confident that this season will go well. I am proud of how my boat did and feel as though we will continue to improve race to race," Ahlers said.
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On Sunday, the crew raced UC San Diego, coming in 1st at 7:02.0, nearly 29 seconds ahead of second place. This boat consisted of Ahlers, sophomore Ellie Erwin, senior Lindsey  DeVreugd, Reker, Ross, sophomore Ava Werner, Navrkal, Leiker and Harris.
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"The races felt good. In the last race vs UCSD, we started down but worked really hard to be back even by the 500 meter mark. Once we got even, my girls made a push and we were able to walk through them by the 750 meter mark," Ahlers said. "I was really impressed with my girls for staying together so well especially since this was the first time ever rowing with that specific lineup."
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The 2v4+, consisting of freshman coxswain Leah Roane, DeVreugd, Erwin, Werner and freshman Sienna Pargiter-Walker came in 3rd on Saturday morning with a time 8:06.4. The boat competed in every 1v4+ race as "K-State B."
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For Saturday afternoon, the lineup shifted at bow with Roane, DeVreugd, Erwin, Werner and sophomore Zoey Whorton, coming in 2nd only behind K-State A with a time of 8:10.3.
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The boat closed out the weekend with a 4th place finish on Sunday at 8:03.8. The lineup consisted of Roane, Northcutt, Pargiter-Walker, Traub and Playter.
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"We would like to thank Mike Connors and Sac State for hosting the race this weekend," Sweeney said. "We're in a good position to start but there is more boat speed to be found. We're looking forward to building from here and continuing to make progress throughout the season."
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The Wildcats will head to the West coast on March 29-30 for the Sunshine State Invitational in Sarasota, Fla. hosted by new Big 12 conference member UCF.
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Hornet Invitational
Lake Natoma
Sacramento, Calif.
Â
Saturday Morning Session (vs. Sac State)
First Varsity 8+
1. Sac State; 6:40.6, 2. K-State; 6:45.7
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Second Varsity 8+
1.. K-State; 6:57.5, 2. Sac State; 7:06.9, 3. K-State B; 7:14.2
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First Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 7:35.3, 2. Sac State; 7:57.9, 3. K-State B; 8:06.4, 4. Sac State B; 8:14.2
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Saturday Afternoon Session (vs. St. Mary's)
First Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 6:44.0, 4. Saint Mary's; 6:51.7
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Second Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 7:02.2, 2. K-State B; 7:07.7, 3. Saint Mary's; 7:12.1
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First Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 7:35.7, 2. K-State B; 8:10.3, 3. Saint Mary's; 8:29.5, 4. Sac State C; 9:09.8
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Sunday Session (vs. UC San Diego)
First Varsity 8+
1. UC San Diego; 6:35.1, 2. K-State; 6:40.2
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Second Varsity 8+
1.UC San Diego; 6:46.5, 2. K-State; 6:57.5
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First Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 7:25.2, 2. UC San Diego; 7:47.2, 3. UC San Diego B; 7:51.9, 4. K-State B; 8:03.8
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Third Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 7:02.0, 2. UC San Diego; 7:31.8
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K-State lineups
1v8+ lineup: Saturday/Sunday
Coxswain: Paige Fox, Stroke: Gracyn McClain, 7. Madison Koller, 6. Rachel Harman, 5. Madelyn Barrett, 4. Grace Hall, 3. Sylvia Cunningham, 2. Symone Simmons, 1. Kay Pakkebier
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2v8+ lineup: AM/Sunday
Coxswain: Kennedy Loyd, Stroke: Anna Ryan, 7. Bianca Wollmeister, 6. Emily Stark, 5. Emma Johnson, 4. Makenzie Storm, 3. Jayden Brandt, 2. Grace Hendrickson, 1. Halle Fee
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2v8+ lineup: PM
Coxswain: Kennedy Loyd, Stroke: Anna Ryan, 7. Halle Fee, 6. Emily Stark, 5. Emma Johnson, 4. Makenzie Storm, 3. Jayden Brandt, 2. Grace Hendrickson, 1. Bianca Wollmeister
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3v8+ lineup: AM
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Emily Northcutt, 7. Izzy Ross, 6. Regan Reker, 5. Lorelei Harris, 4. Harmony Leiker, 3. Madelyn Navrkal, 2. Kiersten Playter, 1. Kyla Traub
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3v8+ lineup: PM
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Emily Northcutt, 7. Lorelei Harris, 6. Regan Reker 5. Izzy Ross, 4. Harmony Leiker, 3. Madelyn Navrkal, 2. Kiersten Playter, 1. Kyla Traub
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3v8+ lineup: Sunday
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Ellie Erwin, 7. Lindsey DeVreugd, 6. Regan Reker, 5. Izzy Ross, 4. Ava Werner, 3. Madelyn Navrkal, 2. Harmony Leiker, 1. Lorelei Harris
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1v4+ lineup: Saturday/Sunday
Coxswain: Kiersten Schmalz, Stroke: Neva Roenne, 3. Jordan Girkin, 2. Anna Guhr, 1. Catie Wood
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2v4+ lineup: AM
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Lindsey DeVreugd, 3. Ellie Erwin, 2. Ava Werner, 1. Sienna Pargiter-Walker
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2v4+ lineup: PM
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Lindsey DeVreugd, 3. Ellie Erwin, 2. Ava Werner, 1. Zoey Whorton
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2v4+ lineup: Sunday
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Emily Northcutt, 3. Sienna Pargiter-Walker, 2. Kyla Traub, 1. Kiersten Playter
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How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Women's Rowing Team, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Facebook and Instagram.
Â
"It was a good weekend of racing. We got to put multiple lineups to the test and saw improvement from race to race," head coach Patrick Sweeney said. "Our athletes proved they are fit and strong, now we know what work needs to be done to see the speed we are capable of producing come out on race day."
Â
On Saturday (March 16), racing was split into a morning and an afternoon session. Racing continued with a morning session on Sunday (March 17).
Â
The weekend was highlighted by dominant performances by the 1v4+ who won each of their races by significant margins. The lineup consisted of sophomore coxswain Kiersten Schmalz, juniors Neva Roenne and Jordan Girkin, freshman Anna Guhr and junior Catie Wood.
Â
"Our racing improved from race to race. The first race against Sac State, our idea was to go for it regardless of what other boats in our race were doing. We finished with a time that gave us confidence and room for improvement," Roenne said. "For the St. Mary's race, we had an excellent start and walked through all other boats by the 300 meter mark. From that point we were racing ourselves. Our final race was our best, we dropped our time by over 10 seconds. We were able to stay on the power and win with considerable open water on UCSD. Our finish was especially sharp in that race."
Â
Saturday morning the boat finished with a time of 7:35.3, more than 20 seconds ahead of Sac State. The boat came in 1st during the afternoon at 7:35.7, nearly a minute ahead of St. Mary's. On Sunday morning, the boat finished more than 20 seconds ahead of UC San Diego with a final time of 7:25.2.
Â
"Personally, my goal for this season is to see improvement every single race this season whether that is in speed of the boat, execution of the rhythm or race plan, or anything else," Roenne said. "As a boat, our goal is to medal at Big 12s. We are sure that if we continue improving and really want that medal, it is very possible."
Â
The 1V8+, consisting of junior coxswain Paige Fox, juniors Gracyn McClain, Madison Koller, Rachel Harman, and Madelyn Barrett, sophomores Grace Hall and Sylvia Cunningham, junior Symone Simmons and sophomore Kay Pakkebier, opened Saturday morning with a time 6:45.7 finishing 2nd to Sac State.
Â
During Saturday afternoon, the boat came in 1st place against St. Mary's with a time of 6:44.0. The 1v8+ closed the weekend racing UC San Diego, finishing 2nd at 6:40.2.
Â
The 2V8+, consisting of sophomore coxswain Kennedy Loyd, junior Anna Ryan, sophomore Bianca Wollmeister, junior Emily Stark, sophomores Emma Johnson and Makenzie Storm and juniors Jayden Brandt, Grace Hendrickson and Halle Fee, opened the weekend with a win against Sac State at 6:57.5.
Â
The lineup shifted heading in the afternoon session— Loyd, Ryan, Fee, Stark, Johnson, Storm, Brandt, Hendrickson and Wollmeister—where the boat came away with another win finishing with a time of 7:02.2
Â
"I feel like every race for us was good competition and a different learning experience," Fee said. "We showed ourselves we are fit enough to race, now it's about breaking down little details to overall improve."
Â
On Sunday, the 2V8+ took 2nd place with the same lineup as Saturday morning, with a time of 6:56.7.
Â
"I'm excited for the rest of the season," Fee said. "I'm eager to see what we can do together and see how we match up with other competition."
Â
The 3v8+ competed in the 2v8+ race on Saturday morning as "K-State B", coming in 3rd with a time of 7:14.2. The lineup included freshmen coxswain Regan Ahlers, freshmen Emily Northcutt, Izzy Ross, Regan Reker, Lorelei Harris, Harmony Leiker, Madelyn Navrkal, Kiersten Playter and sophomore Kyla Traub.
Â
The boat competed in the 2v8+ race again during the afternoon session, finishing at 7:07.0, coming in 2nd only to K-State A. The lineup consisted of Ahlers, Northcutt, Harris, Reker, Ross, Leiker, Navrkal, Playter and Traub.
Â
"Overall, after the first weekend of racing I feel really confident that this season will go well. I am proud of how my boat did and feel as though we will continue to improve race to race," Ahlers said.
Â
On Sunday, the crew raced UC San Diego, coming in 1st at 7:02.0, nearly 29 seconds ahead of second place. This boat consisted of Ahlers, sophomore Ellie Erwin, senior Lindsey  DeVreugd, Reker, Ross, sophomore Ava Werner, Navrkal, Leiker and Harris.
Â
"The races felt good. In the last race vs UCSD, we started down but worked really hard to be back even by the 500 meter mark. Once we got even, my girls made a push and we were able to walk through them by the 750 meter mark," Ahlers said. "I was really impressed with my girls for staying together so well especially since this was the first time ever rowing with that specific lineup."
Â
The 2v4+, consisting of freshman coxswain Leah Roane, DeVreugd, Erwin, Werner and freshman Sienna Pargiter-Walker came in 3rd on Saturday morning with a time 8:06.4. The boat competed in every 1v4+ race as "K-State B."
Â
For Saturday afternoon, the lineup shifted at bow with Roane, DeVreugd, Erwin, Werner and sophomore Zoey Whorton, coming in 2nd only behind K-State A with a time of 8:10.3.
Â
The boat closed out the weekend with a 4th place finish on Sunday at 8:03.8. The lineup consisted of Roane, Northcutt, Pargiter-Walker, Traub and Playter.
Â
"We would like to thank Mike Connors and Sac State for hosting the race this weekend," Sweeney said. "We're in a good position to start but there is more boat speed to be found. We're looking forward to building from here and continuing to make progress throughout the season."
Â
The Wildcats will head to the West coast on March 29-30 for the Sunshine State Invitational in Sarasota, Fla. hosted by new Big 12 conference member UCF.
Â
Hornet Invitational
Lake Natoma
Sacramento, Calif.
Â
Saturday Morning Session (vs. Sac State)
First Varsity 8+
1. Sac State; 6:40.6, 2. K-State; 6:45.7
Â
Second Varsity 8+
1.. K-State; 6:57.5, 2. Sac State; 7:06.9, 3. K-State B; 7:14.2
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First Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 7:35.3, 2. Sac State; 7:57.9, 3. K-State B; 8:06.4, 4. Sac State B; 8:14.2
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Saturday Afternoon Session (vs. St. Mary's)
First Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 6:44.0, 4. Saint Mary's; 6:51.7
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Second Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 7:02.2, 2. K-State B; 7:07.7, 3. Saint Mary's; 7:12.1
Â
First Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 7:35.7, 2. K-State B; 8:10.3, 3. Saint Mary's; 8:29.5, 4. Sac State C; 9:09.8
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Sunday Session (vs. UC San Diego)
First Varsity 8+
1. UC San Diego; 6:35.1, 2. K-State; 6:40.2
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Second Varsity 8+
1.UC San Diego; 6:46.5, 2. K-State; 6:57.5
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First Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 7:25.2, 2. UC San Diego; 7:47.2, 3. UC San Diego B; 7:51.9, 4. K-State B; 8:03.8
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Third Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 7:02.0, 2. UC San Diego; 7:31.8
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K-State lineups
1v8+ lineup: Saturday/Sunday
Coxswain: Paige Fox, Stroke: Gracyn McClain, 7. Madison Koller, 6. Rachel Harman, 5. Madelyn Barrett, 4. Grace Hall, 3. Sylvia Cunningham, 2. Symone Simmons, 1. Kay Pakkebier
Â
2v8+ lineup: AM/Sunday
Coxswain: Kennedy Loyd, Stroke: Anna Ryan, 7. Bianca Wollmeister, 6. Emily Stark, 5. Emma Johnson, 4. Makenzie Storm, 3. Jayden Brandt, 2. Grace Hendrickson, 1. Halle Fee
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2v8+ lineup: PM
Coxswain: Kennedy Loyd, Stroke: Anna Ryan, 7. Halle Fee, 6. Emily Stark, 5. Emma Johnson, 4. Makenzie Storm, 3. Jayden Brandt, 2. Grace Hendrickson, 1. Bianca Wollmeister
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3v8+ lineup: AM
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Emily Northcutt, 7. Izzy Ross, 6. Regan Reker, 5. Lorelei Harris, 4. Harmony Leiker, 3. Madelyn Navrkal, 2. Kiersten Playter, 1. Kyla Traub
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3v8+ lineup: PM
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Emily Northcutt, 7. Lorelei Harris, 6. Regan Reker 5. Izzy Ross, 4. Harmony Leiker, 3. Madelyn Navrkal, 2. Kiersten Playter, 1. Kyla Traub
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3v8+ lineup: Sunday
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Ellie Erwin, 7. Lindsey DeVreugd, 6. Regan Reker, 5. Izzy Ross, 4. Ava Werner, 3. Madelyn Navrkal, 2. Harmony Leiker, 1. Lorelei Harris
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1v4+ lineup: Saturday/Sunday
Coxswain: Kiersten Schmalz, Stroke: Neva Roenne, 3. Jordan Girkin, 2. Anna Guhr, 1. Catie Wood
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2v4+ lineup: AM
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Lindsey DeVreugd, 3. Ellie Erwin, 2. Ava Werner, 1. Sienna Pargiter-Walker
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2v4+ lineup: PM
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Lindsey DeVreugd, 3. Ellie Erwin, 2. Ava Werner, 1. Zoey Whorton
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2v4+ lineup: Sunday
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Emily Northcutt, 3. Sienna Pargiter-Walker, 2. Kyla Traub, 1. Kiersten Playter
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How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Women's Rowing Team, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Facebook and Instagram.
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