Kansas University and Kansas State took to the waters of the Kansas River for the final head-to-head match of the rivalry for fall sports this year.

The Wildcats defeated the Jayhawks, 12-10, at the Sunflower Showdown on Friday at Burcham Park to close out both teams’ fall rowing seasons.

Kansas led 10-4 after four races, but the competition came down to the final Varsity Eight race and its eight points.

The Jayhawks took an early lead and held it throughout the first half of the 2-kilometer race. The Wildcats then sailed ahead to a boat length lead with 500 meters to go that would be enough to hold off a late Jayhawks surge.

“It’s unfortunate. You’re supposed to keep the lead when you get it,” KU coach Rob Catloth said. “It’s not a good scenario. We’ll just make the improvements.”

Added Crystal Reed, coxswain for the Jayhawks’ First Varsity Eight boat, “We fought back, and we finished out well, but they kind of got us in that third 500.”

The Jayhawks surrendered two of the three novice races, but managed to sustain the overall lead heading into the two varsity races after annihilating the Wildcats by 34 seconds in the First Novice Eight race, which was worth five points.

KU appeared ready to add three points in the Second Novice Eight race, before losing.

Kansas University's rowing team competes against Kansas State in the Novice Four race. The Wildcats won the race, and the Sunflower Showdown with the Jayhawks on Friday at Burcham Park.

“Like with anything, it’s the team that makes the least mistakes that wins,” Catloth said.

“We had a really good fall season. Again, we hate to lose K-State,” he added. “It shows us what we need to do, and this race has done this every year.”

Catloth said the team would spend the winter honing its fitness and technique to prepare for major competition in the spring. KU won’t compete again until a dual against Texas on March 26 in Austin, Texas.