TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Drake University rowing team closed its spring break training trip in Tuscaloosa, Ala., with a series of races against Alabama on Saturday on the Black Warrior River.
 
The Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide competed head-to-head in four races on Saturday with 2^nd varsity 4, varsity 8, second varsity 8 and varsity 4 races on the 2,000-meter course. Drake wasn't able to defeat Alabama in any of the four races but hung tough with the deep SEC team.
 
"We knew Alabama was a deep team even with their top-20 out in California, but we knew even with their next level we would have our hands full," said Drake head coach Charlie DiSilvestro. "We were happy with how we performed and really happy with the week of spring break training. Our boats got better and we are a becoming a deep team. However, we need to get some more speed in our top boat. Overall for the first race they feel they rowed to their potential."
 
Drake travels to Kansas next Saturday for another head-to-head race.
 
"Next week we will have a controlled scrimmage with Kansas," DiSilvestro said. "It will be a shorter distance course. It gives us a chance to lineup with another good team and still try some different things with our own squad."
 
Drake Lineups/Results
Varsity 8+ (7:37.7, 2^nd)
Bri Varela (cox), Gabby Brodek, Sarah Larson, Sarah Frantik, Alex Lueck, Kerstin Donat, Kelsey Leahy, Emily Householter, Haley Abrams
 
2^nd Varsity 8+ (7:42.0, 2^nd)
Sadie Robb (cox), Jess Rebischke, Tristina Meister, Madison Peterson, Elainie Fickau, Kayla Caldwell, Liz Long, Erica Thacker, Taylor Schaben
 
Varsity 4+ B (9:11.3, 2^nd)
Paige Prien (cox), Madeline Killian, Elise Nikolic, Mikaela Janes, Leah Wilmot
 
Varsity 4+ A (8:51.2, 3^rd)
Miranda Peterson (cox), Shelley Hunter, Madeline Killian, Lauren Bascio, Elise Nikolic