Kansas State University Athletics
Saturday, March 8
Edmond, Okla.
Kansas State University
at
UCO Invitational
Five First Place Finishes for Rowing at UCO Invitational
Mar 11, 2025 | Rowing
Wildcats won five of the eight races against Central Oklahoma and Tulsa
EDMOND, Okla. – The K-State women's rowing team opened the spring season on Saturday (March 8) with five 1st place finishes during the UCO Invitational on the Oklahoma River. The Wildcats claimed the most first place finishes across eight races against hosting Central Oklahoma and Tulsa.
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"This weekend was a good weekend of racing for our team. Getting back on the water, our athletes showed that they are fit and strong," head coach Patrick Sweeney said. "Winning is always fun, but our main focus this weekend was to see where we are at this time, and what we need to look at next.
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"It was nice to see that we are continuing to move forward as a team. Our athletes did a good job overall."
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The 1v4+ finished 1st in both races with a lineup of junior coxswain Kiersten Schmalz, seniors Rachel Harman and Madison Koller and juniors Grace Hall and Sylvia Cunningham. In the first race they clocked a time of 7:32.91, 19 seconds faster than the second place UCO.
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"We started off strong in our first race and had open water on both Tulsa and UCO fairly quickly. We found a really solid rhythm and stayed on it until we started our finish. That race gave us confidence going into the second race," Koller said.
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During the second race of the day, the 1v4+ recorded a final time of 7:33.61.
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"Schmalz's cox box went out just before the start of the second race, so Harman and I struggled to hear any calls. Thankfully, all of our practices next to one another on the ergs through the winter prepped us to stay connected and together," Koller said. "We had another good start and found our rhythm together. Our 2v4 was pushing us through the first 500 meters and it was so fun to have K-State boats take the top two places. Schmalz's cox box popped back on with about 400 meters to go in the race, which was just what we needed to finish strong."
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The 2v4+ came in 1st place at 8:04.56 during the first session, competing with a lineup of sophomore coxswain Regan Ahlers, senior Grace Hendrickson, sophomore Lorelei Harris, junior Ellie Erwin and sophomore Kiersten Playter.
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"The first race we were focused on staying together and rowing well. With it only being the second time out on the water this season, we just really wanted to get back into the swing of things and remember what it feels like to be back in a boat," Ahlers said. "We were able to make some strong pushes, and walk through both Central Oklahoma and Tulsa, despite having a bad start. The second race was much more consistent and we had a much better start."
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For the second session, all fours competed in one race, with the 2v4+ competing as 'K-State B.' The boat came in second with a time of 7:46.07, behind 'K-State A.' During the second race, the boat competed with a lineup consisting of Ahlers, Hendrickson, Harris, Erwin and sophomore Sienna Pargiter-Walker.
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"Getting back into racing season is really exciting. This year our team is very experienced compared to the past," Ahlers said. "Our individual boat goal is to stay positive and put in 100 percent effort every day.
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"Overall, our team goals are to stay together as a team, know that when one boat does well we all do, win the Sunflower Showdown and medal at Big 12s."
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The 1v8+ finished their first race at 6:55.47, coming in 2nd place. The boat competed with a lineup of junior coxswain Kennedy Loyd, senior Gracyn McClain, junior Makenzie Storm, sophomores Regan Reker and Izzy Ross, senior Madelyn Barrett, sophomore Anna Guhr, junior Ava Werner and senior Symone Simmons. In the second race they came in 3rd with a time of 7:05.37.
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The 2v8+ won their first race of the day with a time 6:57.22. The lineup consisted of junior coxswain Leah Roane, seniors Jayden Brandt and Halle Fee, junior Emma Johnson, senior Kay Pakkebier, sophomores Madelyn Navrkal and Harmony Leiker, freshman Bryn Pawlik and junior Bianca Wollmeister.
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"The first race was definitely our biggest one. We came off the start aggressively and held on throughout the middle of the race," Brandt said. "When we got to the finish, we were neck and neck with the other boat. I was proud of our fight till the end. We wanted to win and that energy came through in the finish."
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During the second race of the day, the crew came in 2nd place with a time of 7:04.35
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"As a senior I'm excited for this last season. Personally, my goal is to medal at Big 12s and that's a goal for the whole team as well," Brandt said. "We're all working really hard and pushing each other to get there."
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The 3v8+ competed in the 2v8+ race in the first session, racing as 'K-State B.' The boat came in 3rd place at 7:20.38, with a lineup of freshman coxswain Mia Starnes, freshman Karlee Horyna, junior Kyla Traub and freshmen Delaney Goshorn, Kendall Lane, Abby Farr, Bailey Williamson, Annika Janss and Lacy Miller.
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"Our first race was tough going against 2v8+s, but it was exciting to work together and feel all of our training come to us," Janss said. "Our second race though, was surreal, especially when our coxswain called us to get past Tulsa's bow ball. You could feel the whole boat shift into a different kind of competitiveness, and once we put on that power, we didn't lay off.
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"As a novice, I never expected to have this opportunity, and it feels like such a huge blessing. Each girl has worked so hard to get where they are and to be able to race with the strongest, hardest workers I have ever met is an amazing opportunity," Janss said.
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The 3v8+ competed against Tulsa in the second session, where K-State came in 1st with a time of 7:21.09. The boat competed with Starnes, Horyna, Traub, Goshorn, Lane, Farr, freshman Katelyn Colwell, Janss and Miller.
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"The races in Oklahoma this past weekend were a great starting point for our team moving into spring camp," Koller said. "This year will definitely feel different with races at the start of camp, but we're looking forward to having the time to practice and tune up the specific things we learn after those races.
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"California is always a fun trip with good competition. The team is looking forward to warmer weather and flat water!"
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K-State will race again next weekend in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday-Saturday (March 15-16) in the Hornet Invitational hosted by Sacramento State. Following the weekend of competition, the Cats will remain in California for their spring training camp.
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"We want to thank Jimmy Francis and his staff for hosting this race. It was a great weekend of competition, and we're excited to continue building from here," Sweeney said. "Our next step is to look at different combinations and try to find as much speed as we can from week to week, making the most of any water time we get now that we are competing again."
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UCO Invitational
Oklahoma River
Edmond, Okla.
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First Session
First Varsity 8+
1. Tulsa; 6:47.9, 2. K-State; 6:55.47, 3. UCO; 6:59.55
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Second Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 6:57.22, 2. Tulsa; 6:59.9, 3. K-State B; 7:20.38
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First Varsity 4+
1. K-State, 7:32.91, 2. UCO; 7:51.35, 3. Tulsa; 7:59.17
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Second Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 8:04.56, 2. Tulsa; 8:10.76, 3. UCO; 8:20.58
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Second Session
First Varsity 8+
1. Tulsa; 6:50.34, 2. UCO; 7:02.64, 3. K-State; 7:05.37
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Second Varsity 8+
1. Tulsa; 7:02.41, 2. K-State; 7:04.35
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Third Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 7:21.09, 2. Tulsa; 7:55.52
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First Varsity 4+
1. K-State A; 7:33.61, 2. K-State B; 7:46.07, 3. UCO A; 7:52.06, 4. Tulsa; 7:57.30, UCO B; 8:36.69
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K-State lineups:
1v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Kennedy Loyd, Stroke: Gracyn McClain, 7. Makenzie Storm, 6. Regan Reker, 5. Izzy Ross, 4. Madelyn Barrett, 3. Anna Guhr, 2. Ava Werner, 1. Symone Simmons
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2v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Jayden Brandt, 7. Halle Fee, 6. Emma Johnson, 5. Kay Pakkebier, 4. Madelyn Navrkal, 3. Harmony Leiker, 2. Bryn Pawlik, 1. Bianca Wollmeister
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1v4+ lineup
Coxswain: Kiersten Schmalz, Stroke: Rachel Harman, 3. Madison Koller, 2. Grace Hall, 1. Sylvia Cunningham
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2v4+ lineup (first session)
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Grace Hendrickson, 3. Lorelei Harris, 2. Ellie Erwin, 1. Kiersten Playter
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 2v4+ lineup (second session, K-State B)
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Grace Hendrickson, 3. Lorelei Harris, 2. Ellie Erwin, 1. Sienna Pargiter-Walker
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3v8+ lineup (first session, K-State B)
Coxswain: Mia Starnes, Stroke: Karlee Horyna, 7. Kyla Traub, 6. Delaney Goshorn, 5. Kendall Lane, 4. Abby Farr, 3. Bailey Williamson, 2. Annika Janss, 1. Lacy Miller
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3v8+ lineup (second session)
Coxswain: Mia Starnes, Stroke: Karlee Horyna, 7. Kyla Traub, 6. Delaney Goshorn, 5. Kendall Lane, 4. Abby Farr, 3. Katelyn Colwell, 2. Annika Janss, 1. Lacy Miller
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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), Instagram and Facebook.
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"This weekend was a good weekend of racing for our team. Getting back on the water, our athletes showed that they are fit and strong," head coach Patrick Sweeney said. "Winning is always fun, but our main focus this weekend was to see where we are at this time, and what we need to look at next.
Â
"It was nice to see that we are continuing to move forward as a team. Our athletes did a good job overall."
Â
The 1v4+ finished 1st in both races with a lineup of junior coxswain Kiersten Schmalz, seniors Rachel Harman and Madison Koller and juniors Grace Hall and Sylvia Cunningham. In the first race they clocked a time of 7:32.91, 19 seconds faster than the second place UCO.
Â
"We started off strong in our first race and had open water on both Tulsa and UCO fairly quickly. We found a really solid rhythm and stayed on it until we started our finish. That race gave us confidence going into the second race," Koller said.
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During the second race of the day, the 1v4+ recorded a final time of 7:33.61.
Â
"Schmalz's cox box went out just before the start of the second race, so Harman and I struggled to hear any calls. Thankfully, all of our practices next to one another on the ergs through the winter prepped us to stay connected and together," Koller said. "We had another good start and found our rhythm together. Our 2v4 was pushing us through the first 500 meters and it was so fun to have K-State boats take the top two places. Schmalz's cox box popped back on with about 400 meters to go in the race, which was just what we needed to finish strong."
Â
The 2v4+ came in 1st place at 8:04.56 during the first session, competing with a lineup of sophomore coxswain Regan Ahlers, senior Grace Hendrickson, sophomore Lorelei Harris, junior Ellie Erwin and sophomore Kiersten Playter.
Â
"The first race we were focused on staying together and rowing well. With it only being the second time out on the water this season, we just really wanted to get back into the swing of things and remember what it feels like to be back in a boat," Ahlers said. "We were able to make some strong pushes, and walk through both Central Oklahoma and Tulsa, despite having a bad start. The second race was much more consistent and we had a much better start."
Â
For the second session, all fours competed in one race, with the 2v4+ competing as 'K-State B.' The boat came in second with a time of 7:46.07, behind 'K-State A.' During the second race, the boat competed with a lineup consisting of Ahlers, Hendrickson, Harris, Erwin and sophomore Sienna Pargiter-Walker.
Â
"Getting back into racing season is really exciting. This year our team is very experienced compared to the past," Ahlers said. "Our individual boat goal is to stay positive and put in 100 percent effort every day.
Â
"Overall, our team goals are to stay together as a team, know that when one boat does well we all do, win the Sunflower Showdown and medal at Big 12s."
Â
The 1v8+ finished their first race at 6:55.47, coming in 2nd place. The boat competed with a lineup of junior coxswain Kennedy Loyd, senior Gracyn McClain, junior Makenzie Storm, sophomores Regan Reker and Izzy Ross, senior Madelyn Barrett, sophomore Anna Guhr, junior Ava Werner and senior Symone Simmons. In the second race they came in 3rd with a time of 7:05.37.
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The 2v8+ won their first race of the day with a time 6:57.22. The lineup consisted of junior coxswain Leah Roane, seniors Jayden Brandt and Halle Fee, junior Emma Johnson, senior Kay Pakkebier, sophomores Madelyn Navrkal and Harmony Leiker, freshman Bryn Pawlik and junior Bianca Wollmeister.
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"The first race was definitely our biggest one. We came off the start aggressively and held on throughout the middle of the race," Brandt said. "When we got to the finish, we were neck and neck with the other boat. I was proud of our fight till the end. We wanted to win and that energy came through in the finish."
Â
During the second race of the day, the crew came in 2nd place with a time of 7:04.35
Â
"As a senior I'm excited for this last season. Personally, my goal is to medal at Big 12s and that's a goal for the whole team as well," Brandt said. "We're all working really hard and pushing each other to get there."
Â
The 3v8+ competed in the 2v8+ race in the first session, racing as 'K-State B.' The boat came in 3rd place at 7:20.38, with a lineup of freshman coxswain Mia Starnes, freshman Karlee Horyna, junior Kyla Traub and freshmen Delaney Goshorn, Kendall Lane, Abby Farr, Bailey Williamson, Annika Janss and Lacy Miller.
Â
"Our first race was tough going against 2v8+s, but it was exciting to work together and feel all of our training come to us," Janss said. "Our second race though, was surreal, especially when our coxswain called us to get past Tulsa's bow ball. You could feel the whole boat shift into a different kind of competitiveness, and once we put on that power, we didn't lay off.
Â
"As a novice, I never expected to have this opportunity, and it feels like such a huge blessing. Each girl has worked so hard to get where they are and to be able to race with the strongest, hardest workers I have ever met is an amazing opportunity," Janss said.
Â
The 3v8+ competed against Tulsa in the second session, where K-State came in 1st with a time of 7:21.09. The boat competed with Starnes, Horyna, Traub, Goshorn, Lane, Farr, freshman Katelyn Colwell, Janss and Miller.
Â
"The races in Oklahoma this past weekend were a great starting point for our team moving into spring camp," Koller said. "This year will definitely feel different with races at the start of camp, but we're looking forward to having the time to practice and tune up the specific things we learn after those races.
Â
"California is always a fun trip with good competition. The team is looking forward to warmer weather and flat water!"
Â
K-State will race again next weekend in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday-Saturday (March 15-16) in the Hornet Invitational hosted by Sacramento State. Following the weekend of competition, the Cats will remain in California for their spring training camp.
Â
"We want to thank Jimmy Francis and his staff for hosting this race. It was a great weekend of competition, and we're excited to continue building from here," Sweeney said. "Our next step is to look at different combinations and try to find as much speed as we can from week to week, making the most of any water time we get now that we are competing again."
Â
UCO Invitational
Oklahoma River
Edmond, Okla.
Â
First Session
First Varsity 8+
1. Tulsa; 6:47.9, 2. K-State; 6:55.47, 3. UCO; 6:59.55
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Second Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 6:57.22, 2. Tulsa; 6:59.9, 3. K-State B; 7:20.38
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First Varsity 4+
1. K-State, 7:32.91, 2. UCO; 7:51.35, 3. Tulsa; 7:59.17
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Second Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 8:04.56, 2. Tulsa; 8:10.76, 3. UCO; 8:20.58
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Second Session
First Varsity 8+
1. Tulsa; 6:50.34, 2. UCO; 7:02.64, 3. K-State; 7:05.37
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Second Varsity 8+
1. Tulsa; 7:02.41, 2. K-State; 7:04.35
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Third Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 7:21.09, 2. Tulsa; 7:55.52
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First Varsity 4+
1. K-State A; 7:33.61, 2. K-State B; 7:46.07, 3. UCO A; 7:52.06, 4. Tulsa; 7:57.30, UCO B; 8:36.69
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K-State lineups:
1v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Kennedy Loyd, Stroke: Gracyn McClain, 7. Makenzie Storm, 6. Regan Reker, 5. Izzy Ross, 4. Madelyn Barrett, 3. Anna Guhr, 2. Ava Werner, 1. Symone Simmons
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2v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Jayden Brandt, 7. Halle Fee, 6. Emma Johnson, 5. Kay Pakkebier, 4. Madelyn Navrkal, 3. Harmony Leiker, 2. Bryn Pawlik, 1. Bianca Wollmeister
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1v4+ lineup
Coxswain: Kiersten Schmalz, Stroke: Rachel Harman, 3. Madison Koller, 2. Grace Hall, 1. Sylvia Cunningham
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2v4+ lineup (first session)
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Grace Hendrickson, 3. Lorelei Harris, 2. Ellie Erwin, 1. Kiersten Playter
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 2v4+ lineup (second session, K-State B)
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Grace Hendrickson, 3. Lorelei Harris, 2. Ellie Erwin, 1. Sienna Pargiter-Walker
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3v8+ lineup (first session, K-State B)
Coxswain: Mia Starnes, Stroke: Karlee Horyna, 7. Kyla Traub, 6. Delaney Goshorn, 5. Kendall Lane, 4. Abby Farr, 3. Bailey Williamson, 2. Annika Janss, 1. Lacy Miller
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3v8+ lineup (second session)
Coxswain: Mia Starnes, Stroke: Karlee Horyna, 7. Kyla Traub, 6. Delaney Goshorn, 5. Kendall Lane, 4. Abby Farr, 3. Katelyn Colwell, 2. Annika Janss, 1. Lacy Miller
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-- k-statesports.com --
 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), Instagram and Facebook.
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