CLEMSON, S.C. – For the second straight year, the Drake University rowing team spent spring break on Lake Hartwell in Clemson, S.C. The Bulldogs battled cold and windy conditions during their week in South Carolina as the team was unable to row as much as they would have liked due to the weather conditions. However, Drake made the most of their time, completing several practice days and the Bulldogs raced against Purdue and fellow MAAC member, Marist.
 
Drake and Purdue faced off in a scrimmage on Tuesday night before the Bulldogs and the Red Foxes competed head to head on Saturday to close the trip. Marist, which is picked to finish second in the preseason Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference coaches poll, defeated Drake in each of the three races (Varsity 4+, Varsity 8+, and 2^nd Varsity 8+) on a 2,000-meter course on Lake Hartwell.
 
"Marist is a really good team," said head coach Charlie DiSilvestro. "They rowed really well and hard. I am proud of our team though who rowed well too and we took many positives from the entire week. However, we know we have a lot to work to do and improve on. Speed to gain."
 
Drake will have a break from competition before traveling to compete at Creighton on April 8.
 
"I am very excited to have three weeks of practice time before Creighton," DiSilvestro said. "It gives us chance to get some quality practice time, make adjustments and changes before racing Creighton in our annual spring race."
 
Varsity 4+
1. Marist – 8:27 2. Drake – 8:38
Paige Prien (coxswain), Lindsay Finnell, Maddie Coffman, Melanie Dahlstrom, Ingrid McNeely
Varsity 8+
1. Marist – 6:59 2. Drake – 7:16
Liz Rambhia (coxswain), Jessica Rebischke, Sarah Frantik, Haley Abrams, Audrey Baumeister, Sarah Konopacki, Erica Thacker, Molly Packer, Abby Rundquist
2^nd Varsity+ 8
1. Marist – 7:30 2. Drake – 7:51
Madeline Killian (coxswain), Julie Shipley, Sadie Gowans, Shelley Hunter, Lauren Bascio, Jocelyn Rimes, Ryli Smith, Mikaela Janes, Olivia Masterson