SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The K-State women’s rowing team wrapped up two days of racing in the Hornet Invitational on Saturday-Sunday (March 15-16) with six 1st place finishes. Racing was split into three sessions of competition, with a morning and afternoon session on Saturday and a morning session on Sunday. K-State raced against Sacramento State, Humboldt State, […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The K-State women’s rowing team wrapped up two days of racing in the Hornet Invitational on Saturday-Sunday (March 15-16) with six 1st place finishes.
Racing was split into three sessions of competition, with a morning and afternoon session on Saturday and a morning session on Sunday. K-State raced against Sacramento State, Humboldt State, Saint Mary’s and UC San Diego.
“The team did a good job this weekend of making the most of the water time and adjusting to new lineups,” head coach Patrick Sweeney said. “It’s still early in the season, so we are trying to finalize the best combinations for each boat. We had some mixed results and that wasn’t surprising for where we are at this time. We’re starting to see how each boat flows, what’s working, and what we need to do next.
“Our main focus was making the most of the water time. Each race was another opportunity to put our fitness and strength to the test, while trying to emphasize the basics of good clean rowing, with strong technique.”
The 1v4+ had a dominant weekend, taking first place in all their races, running a lineup of junior coxswain Kiersten Schmalz, seniors Rachel Harman and Madison Koller and juniors Grace Hall and SylviaCunningham.
“Our first race, we had a lot of fun with. Our start was phenomenal, and we took over the other five boats very quickly, so it was nice to see if we could hold off Humboldt and Sac State the rest of the race,” Cunningham said. “Our second race against St. Mary’s was very relaxed and we could feel that as a boat in our rhythm. We once again walked through pretty early in the race which allowed us to relax a bit and see what we could do at a lower rate while still having good power.”
To open the weekend, the boat came in first place 13 seconds ahead of Sac State with a final time of 7:34.1. The crew built off of that momentum into the afternoon session, recording another first place finish at 8:01.2 ahead of Saint Mary’s. On Sunday, the boat competed against UC San Diego where K-State won by a margin of 11 seconds at 7:35.4.
“Our third race was my favorite because we got to do a real finish. Our goal of that race was to allow the other boats to stay close, so we could feel what a competitive finish would be like, especially in a four-person boat, when all we had ever raced in was an eight,” Cunningham said. “Schmalz made some great calls in all of our races which allowed us to have good power, even while at the lower rates, and held us accountable to our goals each race.”
“I’m proud of how we performed as a team this weekend, and our team value of unity really showed out when, regardless of who was racing, there was always a group of girls cheering the racing boat on,” Cunningham said.
The 2v8+ recorded two wins during the weekend over Saint Mary’s and UC San Diego. On Saturday morning the boat came in second at 7:05.3, with a lineup of junior coxswain Leah Roane, senior Symone Simmons, sophomores Harmony Leiker, Regan Reker, Izzy Ross, Madelyn Navrkal and Lorelei Harris, freshman Bryn Pawlik and junior Ellie Erwin.
“All of the races were good this weekend considering not being on the water for months and going up against some good competition,” Simmons said. “The first race was against Sacramento State, and it was pretty good. We came off the start well and held with them for a while and made pushes that were necessary.”
In the second session on Saturday the 2v8+ claimed its first win at 7:11.4 with coxswain Roane, Simmons, junior Bianca Wollmeister, senior Gracyn McClain, Leiker, Pawlik, junior Makenzie Storm, Erwin and Harris.
“The second race is a race I will never forget. We changed up the race plan a little to make it more fluid. We went against St. Mary’s and from the start we were really competitive with them and started taking seats. We kept the rate pretty high and listened to our coxswain as she went through the race plan,” Simmons said. “We made a big push at the 1000-meter mark and got their bow ball and then open water. It was so fun and exciting especially because I’ve never been a stroke seat before. I was so proud of us for fighting back. We knew the race would be close but ended up getting ahead of them by a good length.”
To close out the weekend, the crew recorded their fastest time at 6:56.7, with a win over UC San Diego, competing with coxswain Loyd, Brandt, Fee, Johnson, Ross, Ellie Erwin, Lorelai Harris, Guhr and Bianca Wollmeister.
“The team has been really resilient this season with limited time on water. The team has learned over the past few weeks that we have lots of potential to compete with great teams,” Simmons said. “We have lots of power and are really competitive as a whole so we are excited for what’s ahead.
“Next we are hoping to accomplish getting in the grand final at Florida and coming back with some hardware.”
On Saturday morning the 2v4+ won their race against Sac State, finishing with a time of 7:59.2. The boat consisted of sophomore coxswain Regan Ahlers, senior Grace Hendrickson, junior Ava Werner, sophomore Sienna Pargiter-Walker and junior Kyla Traub,
“For the first race, I was in the 2v4+, and our boat had never been on the water together, so I think we were excited and nervous to see what we were going to do,” Traub said. “In the first 500 we passed Sac State which gave us some confidence for the rest of the race. We knew Humboldt was within reach and you could feel the shift at the 1000 to pass them.
“Overall, it was a good race, and I think we learned a lot from it.”
On Saturday, afternoon the 2v4+ raced as ‘K-State B’ in the First Varsity 4+ race. The crew recorded a final time of 8:10.7 with coxswain Ahlers, Hendrickson, Werner, Pargiter-Walker and Madelyn Navrkal.
To close out the weekend, the boat came in 2nd against UC San Diego with a time of 7:55.7. The lineup consisted of coxswain Ahlers, Hendrickson, Pargiter-Walker, Werner and Traub.
“The final race I was back in the 2v4+. We were excited because we had a good race the day before and we were eager to see what we could do. We had a really strong start and got into a solid rhythm,” Traub said. “The race went well, and we had a good finish. We came of the water feeling good and ready to see how we could continue to improve.”
The 1v8+ came in 3rd place on Saturday morning with a time of 6:59.0. The lineup consisted of junior coxswain Kennedy Loyd, seniors Jayden Brandt and Halle Fee, Gracyn McClain, Makenzie Storm, Madelyn Barrett, junior Emma Johnson, Kay Pakkebier and sophomore Anna Guhr.
“Overall, each of the races this weekend went well. It was nice to have some good weather and flat water to race on,” Johnson said. “The first two races had some strong starts, and we were able to improve our overall finish into the second race. My third race had a bit of a rocky start, but the rhythm came together well quickly, and we were able to come across the finish strong.”
During the afternoon session, the crew came in 2nd competing against Saint Mary’s at 7:06.5. The lineup consisted of coxswain Loyd, Brandt, Fee, Reker, Izzy Ross, Barrett, Johnson, Pakkebier and Guhr.
“Being the second race weekend, I think we were able to start focusing in on our overall tech. I think so far, we have learned how to come together as a unit and focus in on the little things that’ll sharpen up our blades to help our speed,” Johnson said. “Going forward we will continue to build off of that to just become more efficient and effective through the water.”
Closing out the weekend, the 1v8+ came in 2nd on Sunday morning at 7:01.9. The lineup consisted of coxswain Roane, Simmons, Storm, McClain, Leiker, Reker, senior Madelyn Barrett, Pawlik and senior Kay Pakkebier.
“Overall, the team had a successful a successful weekend with some good water time. I think the team is in a good spot to make some solid improvements and be able to race competitively for the remainder of our season,” Johnson said.
The 3v8+ competed as ‘K-State B’ in both session on Saturday, racing with the 2v8+. The crew came in 3rd during the first session at 7:10.7, competing with a lineup of freshman coxswain Mia Starnes, freshman Karlee Horyna, Wollmeister, and freshmen Delaney Goshorn, Kendall Lane, Abby Farr, Abby Huonder, Annika Janss and Lacy Miller.
In the afternoon session, the 3v8+ came in 3rd at 7:27.9 with coxswain Starnes, Horyna, Janss, Goshorn, Lane, Farr, Huonder, Kyla Traub and sophomore Kiersten Playter.
The crew recorded a second-place finish on Sunday morning at 7:24.7 racing UC San Diego. The boat consisted of coxswain Starnes, Horyna, Playter, Goshorn, Lane, Madelyn Navrkal, Farr, Janss and Miller.
“I’m excited to see what the next few weeks hold. I think we have made a lot of progress, and we will continue to make more progress as we get to know our boats better,” Traub said. “I think mentally and physically we are prepared, now it’s just time to go out there and prove ourselves.
The Wildcats are working their way through spring training camp before racing again on March 28-29 in Sarasota, Fla., for the Sarasota 2k hosted by UCF.
“As we prep for Florida, I am extremely excited to see what we can do as a boat and as a team. We’ll have some challenges, but reframing our outlook on those challenges will be key to do what we need to do,” Cunningham said. “For that race weekend, we will race a much bigger pool of crews, with there being three separate heats.
“Goal wise, we hope to make it into the top final and hopefully medal. With that comes PR’s and I think a big thing for us as a team is just improving our times and seeing how fast we can really go.”
“We want to thank Mike Connors and his staff for putting everything together and hosting this weekend,” Sweeney said. “It was a good weekend of racing. As a team, we’re headed in the right direction and we’re looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish this year.”
Hornet Invitational
Sacramento State Aquatic Center
Sacramento, Calif.
Saturday Morning Session
First Varsity 8+
1. SAC; 6:48.4, 2. HSU; 6:58.6, 3. K-State; 6:59.0
Second Varsity 8+
1. SAC; 6:57.0, 2. K-State; 7:05.3, 3. K-State B; 7:10.7
Third Varsity 8+
1. SAC; 6:57.0, 2. K-State; 7:05.3, 3. K-State B; 7:10.7
First Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 7:34.1, 2. SAC; 7:47.6, 3. HSU; 7:54.9
Second Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 7:59.2, 2. SAC; 8:03.7
Saturday Afternoon Session
First Varsity 8+
1. SMC; 6:59.3, 2. K-State; 7:06.5
Second Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 7:11.4, 2. SMC; 7:19.2, 3. K-State B; 7:27.9
Third Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 7:11.4, 2. SMC; 7:19.2, 3. K-State B; 7:27.9
First Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 8:01.2, 2. SMC; 8:08.3, 3. K-State B; 8:10.7
Second Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 8:01.2, 2. SMC; 8:08.3, 3. K-State B; 8:10.7
Sunday Morning Session
First Varsity 8+
1. UCSD; 6:44.8, 2. K-State; 7:01.9
Second Varsity 8+
1. K-State; 6:56.7, 2. UCSD; 7:02.5
Third Varsity 8+
1. UCSD; 7:20.8, 2. K-State; 7:24.7
First Varsity 4+
1. K-State; 7:35.4, 2. UCSD; 7:46.6
Second Varsity 4+
1. UCSD; 7:53.8, 2. K-State; 7:55.7
K-State lineups:
1v4+ lineup (all 3 sessions)
Coxswain: Kiersten Schmalz, Stroke: Rachel Harman, 3. Madison Koller, 2. Grace Hall, 1. Sylvia Cunningham
Saturday Morning
1v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Kennedy Loyd, Stroke: Jayden Brandt, 7. Halle Fee, 6. Gracyn McClain, 5. Makenzie Storm, 4. Madelyn Barrett, 3. Emma Johnson, 2. Kay Pakkebier, 1. Anna Guhr
2v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Symone Simmons, 7. Harmony Leiker, 6. Regan Reker, 5. Izzy Ross, 4. Madelyn Navrkal, 3. Lorelai Harris, 2. Bryn Pawlik, 1. Ellie Erwin
3v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Mia Starnes, Stroke: Karlee Horyna, 7. Bianca Wollmeister, 6. Delaney Goshorn, 5. Kendall Lane, 4. Abby Farr, 3. Abby Huonder, 2. Annika Janss, 1. Lacy Miller
2v4+ lineup
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Grace Hendrickson, 3. Ava Werner, 2. Sienna Pargiter-Walker, 1. Kyla Traub
Saturday Afternoon
1v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Kennedy Loyd, Stroke: Jayden Brandt, 7. Halle Fee, 6. Regan Reker, 5. Izzy Ross, 4. Madelyn Barrett, 3. Emma Johnson, 2. Kay Pakkebier, 1. Anna Guhr
2v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Symone Simmons, 7. Bianca Wollmeister, 6. Gracyn McClain, 5. Harmony Leiker, 4. Bryn Pawlik, 3. Makenzie Storm, 2. Ellie Erwin, 1. Lorelai Harris
3v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Mia Starnes, Stroke: Karlee Horyna, 7. Annika Janss, 6. Delaney Goshorn, 5. Kendall Lane, 4. Abby Farr, 3. Abby Huonder, 2. Kyla Traub, 1. Kiersten Playter
2v4+ lineup
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Grace Hendrickson, 3. Ava Werner, 2. Sienna Pargiter-Walker, 1. Madelyn Navrkal
Sunday Morning
1v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Symone Simmons, 7. Makenzie Storm, 6. Gracyn McClain, 5. Harmony Leiker, 4. Regan Reker, 3. Madelyn Barrett, 2. Bryn Pawlik, 1. Kay Pakkebier
2v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Kennedy Loyd, Stroke: Jayden Brandt, 7. Halle Fee, 6. Emma Johnson, 5. Izzy Ross, 4. Ellie Erwin, 3. Lorelai Harris, 2. Anna Guhr, 1. Bianca Wollmeister
2v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Leah Roane, Stroke: Symone Simmons, 7. Makenzie Storm, 6. Gracyn McClain, 5. Harmony Leiker, 4. Regan Reker, 3. Madelyn Barrett, 2. Bryn Pawlik, 1. Kay Pakkebier
3v8+ lineup
Coxswain: Mia Starnes, Stroke: Karlee Horyna, 7. Kiersten Playter, 6. Delaney Goshorn, 5. Kendall Lane, 4. Madelyn Navrkal, 3. Abby Farr, 2. Annika Janss, 1. Lacy Miller
2v4+ lineup
Coxswain: Regan Ahlers, Stroke: Grace Hendrickson, 3. Sienna Pargiter-Walker, 2. Ava Werner, 1. Kyla Traub
— 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.
