Rowing is one of the few sports in which Wichita State, the University of Kansas and Kansas State University can compete against each other at the same time.

WSU, KU and KSU will do just that in the Sunflower State Championships in Wichita from 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9.

The races will take place out of the BG Products Boathouse on the Arkansas River.

The starting line will be just north of the Lincoln Street bridge with races concluding by the Hyatt. Viewing can be seen anywhere along the river or from the Lewis St. bridge.

Spectators are welcome to park at the BG Boathouse and watch from the boathouse’s banks where refreshments are available and race play-by-play can be heard.

Wichita State Rowing has been competing against KU and KSU since WSU’s crew inception in 1975. While WSU has won the Governor’s cup (all around trophy) in recent years, WSU has not dominated every year.

WSU goes into this year’s races having already beaten KU at the John Hunter Regatta in the men’s novice eight, men’s and women’s varsity four events.

WSU was faster than KSU at the Upper Midwest in the same events. One event that will be hotly contested is the women’s eight and novice women’s four events in which all three teams’ speeds are equitable.

In years past, there has been an alumni event. Kansas rowers interested in racing other alumni should contact WSU assistant coach Tori Breithaupt at (316) 978-3465

Special to this regatta will be a boat-naming ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Boats are given names for people who have contributed to the program; for example, one of the boats is named the Giovanni Bancheri in honor of former WSU Rowing coach John Bancheri, who lead the team in the 1980s.

The new name is being kept a secret until the May 9 event.