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Tuesday, September 11, 1973
University Daily Kansan
Maneuvering into positions, the first heat of the fourth Annual KU-K-State Canoe Race gets underway at Manhattan.
Kansan Staff Photos by CARL DAVAZ
Crews Brave Rain For Weekend Race
Each crew member participating in the University of Kansas-Kansas State university canoe race looked tired and was wet, muddy and disgusted with Saturday's weather. But most said they had fun and some memorable experiences.
Most crews were out to win. But for some it turned into less of a race than expected, so they decided to have fun and enjoy themselves, said Tony E. Benson.
"After the first day the canoes were so spread out along the river we could not compete. 'Flip Castaneda, Junction City senior, said. "To have fun with our friends we had to stick together, on Sunday we hooked three canoes together and went down the river."
The competition started from Manhattan at 9 a.m. Saturday and, despite the rain and drizzle, most of the crews arrived at the overnight station, six hours ahead of the scheduled departure.
Crew members were scattered throughout the area Saturday night trying to find some shelter under which to sleep. Some camped out, others slept in a tent.
Despite the many inconveniences, Carolyn Bellus, Dallas junior, was her third cause race and she had had more fun than on any of the
"I've had a blast," she said. "When this race started I hadn't met any of the people on my crew, but now I'll know all of them really well."
The weather was a hindrance especially for the crews that remained in the competition throughout the race. For those who entered for a good time, the rain was still tolerable.
The race cost Averil McElery, Belleville sophomore, $2 to have his car pulled out of the mud at one of the checkpoints. McElery said he had fun
Coming into shore for a crew change, Cindy Hutter, Wilmette, Ill., freshman, left, makes use of the sweep stroke to bring the canoe around. Mark Bontrager, Tonganoxie freshman, center, and Laurie Recht, St. Louis freshman, keep up the pace.
Judy Lobr, Kansas City, Kana, freshman, front and, Flip Castneado, Junction City, senior, launch their **crew** canoe after a flight near Manhattan.
Hoping they will be seen, Larry Fess, Overland Park freshman, left, and Curtis Sutherland, team mate at a checkpoint just west of Wamgen on the Kansas River.
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