The Oklahoma rowing team will compete in the Big 12 Championship Regatta all day Saturday at Lake Wyandotte, Kan.

OU, in the program’s third year, also competed in the first two conference regattas.

In 2009, the team did not meet the five-boat minimum to compete in all the events.

Last year, OU put five boats in the water — making it eligible to place — and captured second.

Coach Leeanne Crain said the team has talked about the Big 12 showdown all season and is ready to race.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us, but this is something we’ve been preparing for all season,” Crain said.

Oklahoma will face off against Texas, Kansas and Kansas State for the Big 12 crown, and No. 15 Texas is the team to beat, Crain said.

Texas claimed the first two Big 12 titles. OU came close to beating Texas last year, finishing just 11 points short.

“It left a bitter taste in our mouths,” Crain said. “We hope to turn the tables this weekend.”

The championship is scored by five events: first varsity eight, second varsity eight, varsity four, first novice eight and second novice eight.

Crain said the team needs strong performances in all events to bring the first conference title in rowing to Norman.

“We’ve got to put it all out on the racecourse,” Crain said.