SPRING LAKE, Mich. – The Drake University rowing team's varsity 8 boat finished in second place in its race Sunday morning on the final day of the Lubbers Cup. The varsity 8 boat was the only Drake boat to compete as the remainder of Sunday's racing schedule was cancelled due to high winds on Spring Lake. The varsity 8 race was contested on a shortened 1,000-meter reversed course.
 
"Today the biggest disappointment was that our four boats didn't get a chance to race," said head coach Charlie DiSilvestro. "Saturday was an amazing day for the team with everything coming together. Our eight boats are really rowing well as a family and the fours had a great day and have started to find their identity. To not get them an additional day of racing due to the high winds is a disappointment because this season they haven't had a chance to row together as much as the eights."
 
On Saturday, Drake was led by its varsity 8+ and 2^nd varsity 8+ boats that took first place in both the morning and afternoon session races. The Bulldogs' varsity boat defeated host Grand Valley State and Marquette in the morning and then defeated Purdue and Ohio State in the afternoon. The 2^nd varsity boat defeated Grand Valley in the morning and Purdue in the afternoon. Drake's varsity 4+ A boat also claimed first place in its afternoon race.
 
"For the varsity 8 boat it is the first time to beat Grand Valley and Purdue on the same day as well as to beat Grand Valley," DiSilvestro said. "I am also very proud of the 2^nd varsity 8 boat to repeat as champions and bring back the Jedlic Cup once again."
 
Even without a novice eight boat entered in the Lubbers Cup, Drake still finished third place in total points with 19 behind Purdue (29) and Eastern Michigan (25). The Bulldogs defeated such team as host Grand Valley, Ohio State and Marquette.
 
Drake returns to the water on April 22 in Omaha, Neb. when it takes on local rival, Creighton.
 
Sunday Lineups/Results
Varsity 8+ Lineup
Liz Rambhia (cox)
Gabrielle Brodek
Madison Peterson
Sarah Frantik
Jessica Rebischke
Sarah Konopacki
Haley Abrams
Kerstin Donat
Shelley Hunter
 
Varsity 8 Results
1. Eastern Michigan 3:42.6
2. Drake 3:51.6
3. Marquette 4:31.3