Kansas State University Athletics
Friday, March 28
Sarasota, Fla.
Kansas State University
at
Sarasota 2k
1v4+ Takes Bronze to Highlight Wildcats at the Sarasota 2k
Apr 02, 2025 | Rowing
K-State raced against lots of different competition, including Big 12 schools
SARASOTA, Fla. – The K-State women's rowing team competed in the Sarasota 2k on Friday-Saturday (March 28-29) at Nathan Benderson Park.
"Coming off racing this weekend, we are proud of the four and the medal they earned. Across the board, this competition was a learning experience for the team. It showed us what our weaknesses are on a technical side, especially when we are working under pressure," head coach Patrick Sweeney said. "Our athletes are fit and strong, but we have to stay confident in rough conditions. We're capable of going faster, and that is the goal moving forward."
Racing was split into two days of competition, with the 1v8+, 2v8+ and 1v4+ competing in time trials early Friday afternoon. All boats raced in semifinals on Friday to qualify for Saturday's finals. The Wildcats competed against conference schools West Virginia, Tulsa, Old Dominion and UCF. Competition also included Alabama, Jacksonville, Louisville, Miami and Michigan State and others.
"We improved as a boat over each of the three races we had this weekend. We had to learn to row through wind and tight competition, both elements that we hadn't come across often so far this season," senior Rachel Harman said. "Our technique improved every time we were on the water, therefore our speed improved also."
That 1v4+ came in first during Friday's semifinals with a time of 7:33.41. The boat's lineup consisted of junior coxswain Kiersten Schmalz, seniors Harman and Madison Koller and juniors Grace Hall and Sylvia Cunningham.
"We took it off hard and got out quickly ahead of U-Miami and Alabama, and held them off, we made good power shifts on the water and had a great finish to get us through getting first in our heat," Schmalz said. "We were so very happy with our performance and knew there were little things we could improve on and become better at for the next race!"
In the Grand 'A' final, the 1v4+ earned a bronze medal with a time of 7:23.28.
"For the finals we got to the start line and took it off hard before realizing that UCF had a start that made us stop and re-do the start. We stayed calm, got re-set knowing that we just needed to do the same thing again," Schmalz said. "We took it off and started to walk on a few schools then started to separate ourselves around the 1000m and it became a very tight race between us, UNC and UCF.
"We held with them and started to make good moves into our finish and had one of our best finishes so far this season and got to claim 3rd place at the Invitational! We were very proud our performance and what we put on the water, knowing we could only get better and learn and continue to grow is exciting for what the future holds," Schmalz added.
"It's great to come away from this weekend with a medal. It really boosts our confidence looking towards races in the future but also gives our boat a goal that we can still be faster," Harman said. "Racing fast boats like the ones at this regatta is what makes all the training and hard workouts worth it. I'm excited to see how fast we can go at the end of this season."
In Friday's heat, the 3v8+ finished at 7:36.51, competing with freshmen Mia Starnes, Karlee Horyna, Abby Huonder, Kendall Lane, Delaney Goshorn, Abby Farr and Annika Janss, sophomore Madelyn Navrkal and freshman Lacy Miller.
"During our first race on Friday, we were in a constant fight with the wind but were able to find a way to finish the race as a boat collectively. Our second race on Saturday something clicked with our boat. We were able to stay on the power the entire time with a faster stroke rate and stayed connected as a boat," Horyna said. "During that race, we were even with Alabama about the entire time, but in the last 250 meters our coxswain, Starnes, was calling seats on Alabama's boat and in the last 10 strokes were able to get a push and beat them.
"Our rowers completely put the pedal to the metal during that race and Starnes called that race perfectly for us. It was so fun being able to max out that hard in that race with some of my closest teammates and friends."
On Saturday, the crew came in second place in the Petite 'B' final, with a time of 7:19.36.
"It's been such an awesome opportunity to be able to race as a freshman on this team. To compete with some of my closest friends at K-State is such a fun experience," Horyna said. "I also have some amazing upperclassmen to look up to who are the most hard-working athletes and nicest people I've ever seen, on and off the water. It's crazy for me to think that a year ago I knew so little about the sport, but now it's a huge part of my life that I'm entirely grateful for."
The 2v4+ finished semifinals with a time of 8:32.25, qualifying for Saturday's Petite 'B' final.
"A big takeaway from this weekend for me personally is that there was a lot of growth this weekend and there is still more to come. As a boat, I'm proud of the changes we made from race to race and the way we gave it all," junior Ava Werner said. "As a team, this was a crucial test of what we are capable of and how much more we can push ourselves. We're in a great spot to build from across all boats. The support we have for each other was definitely felt this weekend, when one boat medals, we all medal."
The boat competed with sophomore coxswain Regan Ahlers, juniors Kyla Traub and Werner, sophomore Sienna Pargiter-Walker and senior Grace Hendrickson. On Saturday, the crew came in 5th place at 7:56.58.
The 2v8+ finished their semifinal heat with a time of 8:47.24, competing with a lineup consisting of junior coxswain Kennedy Loyd, junior Ellie Erwin, senior Halle Fee, juniors Emma Johnson and Makenzie Storm, sophomores Regan Reker, and Lorelei Harris, freshman Bryn Pawlik and sophomore Kiersten Playter. On Saturday, the boat finished their race in the 'C' final with a time of 7:09.00.
On Friday the 1v8+ finished their heat at 7:20.30, with a lineup of junior coxswain Leah Roane, seniors Jayden Brandt, Madelyn Barrett and Gracyn McClain, sophomores Izzy Ross, Harmony Leiker and Anna Guhr and seniors Kay Pakkebier and Symone Simmons. Competing in the 'C' final on Saturday, the crew clocked a time of 6:59.36.
"Every boat improved on their times over the course of the weekend, so the biggest takeaway is using the limited practice time on the water that we have and focusing on technique," Harman said.
"Looking ahead, our team has so much potential. The hard work we have been putting in since August and continue to do shows," Werner said. "Keeping focus, making sure every stroke counts and continuing to push ourselves day in and day out will allow us to be in the best position to succeed."
The Wildcats will have a break before heading to Omaha, Neb., to compete in the Creighton Duel on Sunday, April 13.
Sarasota 2k
Nathan Benderson Park
Sarasota, Fla.
Friday Heats Results
Second Varsity 4+
1. Jacksonville; 8:08.85, 2. Tulsa; 8:18.33, 3. ODU; 8:29.24, 4. K-State; 8:32.25, 5. HPU; 9:00.06
Third Varsity 8+
1. UCF; 7:14.65, 2. Miami; 7:24.47, 3. Michigan State B; 7:28.97, 4. K-State; 7:36.51, 5. Michigan State A; 7:37.82
First Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 7:33.41, 2. Miami; 7:34.32, 3. Alabama; 7:35.20, 4. Michigan State; 7:42.21, 5. WVU; 8:13.15, 6. ODU; 8:22.59
Second Varsity 8+
1. Miami; 6:56.91, 2. Dartmouth; 6:58.61, 3. Tulsa; 7:06.77, 4. BCU; 7:09.77, 5. WVU; 7:49.15, 6. K-State; 8:47.24
First Varsity 8+
1. UNC; 6:41.24, 2. Dartmouth; 6:42.24, 3. Louisville; 6:52.76, 4. BCU; 6:53.73, 5. WVU; 7:19.24, 6. K-State; 7:20.30
Saturday Results
Second Varsity 4+ (Petite 'B' Final)
1. Alabama; 7:42.51, 2. BCU; 7:49.95, 3. Louisville; 7:51.27, 4. Michigan State; 7:52.46, 5. K-State; 7:56.58, 6. ODU; 8:13.02
Third Varsity 8+ (Petite 'B' Final)
1. Michigan State; 7:12.79, 2. K-State; 7:19.36, 3. Alabama; 7:20.00, 4. Jacksonville; 7:44.83
First Varsity 4+ (Grand 'A' Final)
1. UCF; 7:18.29, 2. UNC; 7:21.29, 3. K-State; 7:23.28, 4. Miami; 7:28.50, 5. Dartmouth; 7:30.73, 6. Iowa; 7:35.09
Second Varsity 8+ ('C' Final)
1. Jacksonville; 7:07.03, 2. K-State; 7:09.00, 3. ODU; 7:18.27, 4. WVU; 7:19.55, 5. HPU; 7:25.16
First Varsity 8+ ('C' Final)
1. ODU; 6:47.97, 2. Jacksonville; 6:52.74, 3. HPU; 6:53.92, 4. WVU; 6:58.75, 5. K-State; 6:59.36
K-State lineups
1v8+ lineup:
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Jayden Brandt, 7. Madelyn Barrett, 6. Gracyn McClain, 5. Izzy Ross, 4. Harmony Leiker, 3. Anna Guhr, 2. Kay Pakkebier, 1. Symone Simmons
2v8+ lineup:
Coxswain: Kennedy Loyd, Stroke: Ellie Erwin, 7. Halle Fee, 6. Emma Johnson, 5. Makenzie Storm, 4. Regan Reker, 3. Lorelei Harris, 2. Bryn Pawlik, 1. Kiersten Playter
3v8+ lineup:
Coxswain: Mia Starnes, Stroke: Karlee Horyna, 7. Abby Huonder, 6. Kendall Lane, 5. Delaney Goshorn, 4. Abby Farr, 3. Annika Janss, 2. Madelyn Navrkal, 1. Lacy Miller
1v4+ lineup:
Coxswain: Kiersten Schmalz, Stroke: Rachel Harman, 3. Madison Koller, 2. Grace Hall, 1. Sylvia Cunningham
2v4+ lineup:
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Kyla Traub, 3. Ava Werner, 2. Sienna Pargiter-Walker, 1. Grace Hendrickson
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.
"Coming off racing this weekend, we are proud of the four and the medal they earned. Across the board, this competition was a learning experience for the team. It showed us what our weaknesses are on a technical side, especially when we are working under pressure," head coach Patrick Sweeney said. "Our athletes are fit and strong, but we have to stay confident in rough conditions. We're capable of going faster, and that is the goal moving forward."
Racing was split into two days of competition, with the 1v8+, 2v8+ and 1v4+ competing in time trials early Friday afternoon. All boats raced in semifinals on Friday to qualify for Saturday's finals. The Wildcats competed against conference schools West Virginia, Tulsa, Old Dominion and UCF. Competition also included Alabama, Jacksonville, Louisville, Miami and Michigan State and others.
"We improved as a boat over each of the three races we had this weekend. We had to learn to row through wind and tight competition, both elements that we hadn't come across often so far this season," senior Rachel Harman said. "Our technique improved every time we were on the water, therefore our speed improved also."
That 1v4+ came in first during Friday's semifinals with a time of 7:33.41. The boat's lineup consisted of junior coxswain Kiersten Schmalz, seniors Harman and Madison Koller and juniors Grace Hall and Sylvia Cunningham.
"We took it off hard and got out quickly ahead of U-Miami and Alabama, and held them off, we made good power shifts on the water and had a great finish to get us through getting first in our heat," Schmalz said. "We were so very happy with our performance and knew there were little things we could improve on and become better at for the next race!"
In the Grand 'A' final, the 1v4+ earned a bronze medal with a time of 7:23.28.
"For the finals we got to the start line and took it off hard before realizing that UCF had a start that made us stop and re-do the start. We stayed calm, got re-set knowing that we just needed to do the same thing again," Schmalz said. "We took it off and started to walk on a few schools then started to separate ourselves around the 1000m and it became a very tight race between us, UNC and UCF.
"We held with them and started to make good moves into our finish and had one of our best finishes so far this season and got to claim 3rd place at the Invitational! We were very proud our performance and what we put on the water, knowing we could only get better and learn and continue to grow is exciting for what the future holds," Schmalz added.
"It's great to come away from this weekend with a medal. It really boosts our confidence looking towards races in the future but also gives our boat a goal that we can still be faster," Harman said. "Racing fast boats like the ones at this regatta is what makes all the training and hard workouts worth it. I'm excited to see how fast we can go at the end of this season."
In Friday's heat, the 3v8+ finished at 7:36.51, competing with freshmen Mia Starnes, Karlee Horyna, Abby Huonder, Kendall Lane, Delaney Goshorn, Abby Farr and Annika Janss, sophomore Madelyn Navrkal and freshman Lacy Miller.
"During our first race on Friday, we were in a constant fight with the wind but were able to find a way to finish the race as a boat collectively. Our second race on Saturday something clicked with our boat. We were able to stay on the power the entire time with a faster stroke rate and stayed connected as a boat," Horyna said. "During that race, we were even with Alabama about the entire time, but in the last 250 meters our coxswain, Starnes, was calling seats on Alabama's boat and in the last 10 strokes were able to get a push and beat them.
"Our rowers completely put the pedal to the metal during that race and Starnes called that race perfectly for us. It was so fun being able to max out that hard in that race with some of my closest teammates and friends."
On Saturday, the crew came in second place in the Petite 'B' final, with a time of 7:19.36.
"It's been such an awesome opportunity to be able to race as a freshman on this team. To compete with some of my closest friends at K-State is such a fun experience," Horyna said. "I also have some amazing upperclassmen to look up to who are the most hard-working athletes and nicest people I've ever seen, on and off the water. It's crazy for me to think that a year ago I knew so little about the sport, but now it's a huge part of my life that I'm entirely grateful for."
The 2v4+ finished semifinals with a time of 8:32.25, qualifying for Saturday's Petite 'B' final.
"A big takeaway from this weekend for me personally is that there was a lot of growth this weekend and there is still more to come. As a boat, I'm proud of the changes we made from race to race and the way we gave it all," junior Ava Werner said. "As a team, this was a crucial test of what we are capable of and how much more we can push ourselves. We're in a great spot to build from across all boats. The support we have for each other was definitely felt this weekend, when one boat medals, we all medal."
The boat competed with sophomore coxswain Regan Ahlers, juniors Kyla Traub and Werner, sophomore Sienna Pargiter-Walker and senior Grace Hendrickson. On Saturday, the crew came in 5th place at 7:56.58.
The 2v8+ finished their semifinal heat with a time of 8:47.24, competing with a lineup consisting of junior coxswain Kennedy Loyd, junior Ellie Erwin, senior Halle Fee, juniors Emma Johnson and Makenzie Storm, sophomores Regan Reker, and Lorelei Harris, freshman Bryn Pawlik and sophomore Kiersten Playter. On Saturday, the boat finished their race in the 'C' final with a time of 7:09.00.
On Friday the 1v8+ finished their heat at 7:20.30, with a lineup of junior coxswain Leah Roane, seniors Jayden Brandt, Madelyn Barrett and Gracyn McClain, sophomores Izzy Ross, Harmony Leiker and Anna Guhr and seniors Kay Pakkebier and Symone Simmons. Competing in the 'C' final on Saturday, the crew clocked a time of 6:59.36.
"Every boat improved on their times over the course of the weekend, so the biggest takeaway is using the limited practice time on the water that we have and focusing on technique," Harman said.
"Looking ahead, our team has so much potential. The hard work we have been putting in since August and continue to do shows," Werner said. "Keeping focus, making sure every stroke counts and continuing to push ourselves day in and day out will allow us to be in the best position to succeed."
The Wildcats will have a break before heading to Omaha, Neb., to compete in the Creighton Duel on Sunday, April 13.
Sarasota 2k
Nathan Benderson Park
Sarasota, Fla.
Friday Heats Results
Second Varsity 4+
1. Jacksonville; 8:08.85, 2. Tulsa; 8:18.33, 3. ODU; 8:29.24, 4. K-State; 8:32.25, 5. HPU; 9:00.06
Third Varsity 8+
1. UCF; 7:14.65, 2. Miami; 7:24.47, 3. Michigan State B; 7:28.97, 4. K-State; 7:36.51, 5. Michigan State A; 7:37.82
First Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 7:33.41, 2. Miami; 7:34.32, 3. Alabama; 7:35.20, 4. Michigan State; 7:42.21, 5. WVU; 8:13.15, 6. ODU; 8:22.59
Second Varsity 8+
1. Miami; 6:56.91, 2. Dartmouth; 6:58.61, 3. Tulsa; 7:06.77, 4. BCU; 7:09.77, 5. WVU; 7:49.15, 6. K-State; 8:47.24
First Varsity 8+
1. UNC; 6:41.24, 2. Dartmouth; 6:42.24, 3. Louisville; 6:52.76, 4. BCU; 6:53.73, 5. WVU; 7:19.24, 6. K-State; 7:20.30
Saturday Results
Second Varsity 4+ (Petite 'B' Final)
1. Alabama; 7:42.51, 2. BCU; 7:49.95, 3. Louisville; 7:51.27, 4. Michigan State; 7:52.46, 5. K-State; 7:56.58, 6. ODU; 8:13.02
Third Varsity 8+ (Petite 'B' Final)
1. Michigan State; 7:12.79, 2. K-State; 7:19.36, 3. Alabama; 7:20.00, 4. Jacksonville; 7:44.83
First Varsity 4+ (Grand 'A' Final)
1. UCF; 7:18.29, 2. UNC; 7:21.29, 3. K-State; 7:23.28, 4. Miami; 7:28.50, 5. Dartmouth; 7:30.73, 6. Iowa; 7:35.09
Second Varsity 8+ ('C' Final)
1. Jacksonville; 7:07.03, 2. K-State; 7:09.00, 3. ODU; 7:18.27, 4. WVU; 7:19.55, 5. HPU; 7:25.16
First Varsity 8+ ('C' Final)
1. ODU; 6:47.97, 2. Jacksonville; 6:52.74, 3. HPU; 6:53.92, 4. WVU; 6:58.75, 5. K-State; 6:59.36
K-State lineups
1v8+ lineup:
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Jayden Brandt, 7. Madelyn Barrett, 6. Gracyn McClain, 5. Izzy Ross, 4. Harmony Leiker, 3. Anna Guhr, 2. Kay Pakkebier, 1. Symone Simmons
2v8+ lineup:
Coxswain: Kennedy Loyd, Stroke: Ellie Erwin, 7. Halle Fee, 6. Emma Johnson, 5. Makenzie Storm, 4. Regan Reker, 3. Lorelei Harris, 2. Bryn Pawlik, 1. Kiersten Playter
3v8+ lineup:
Coxswain: Mia Starnes, Stroke: Karlee Horyna, 7. Abby Huonder, 6. Kendall Lane, 5. Delaney Goshorn, 4. Abby Farr, 3. Annika Janss, 2. Madelyn Navrkal, 1. Lacy Miller
1v4+ lineup:
Coxswain: Kiersten Schmalz, Stroke: Rachel Harman, 3. Madison Koller, 2. Grace Hall, 1. Sylvia Cunningham
2v4+ lineup:
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Kyla Traub, 3. Ava Werner, 2. Sienna Pargiter-Walker, 1. Grace Hendrickson
-- 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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