DAYTON, OHIO - The Drake women's rowing team opened its outdoor campaign, winning three races in a dual against Dayton Sunday.

Drake won the varsity four in six minutes 43 seconds and also won the junior varsity four in 6:57.3. The Bulldogs claimed the novice eight in 6:24.5.

Dayton won three events -- varsity eight, junior varsity eight and novice eight - which were run in the morning.

"We were happy for our first race of the spring," said Drake head coach Charlie DiSilvestro. "Our crews performed well against some good competition."

Drake will travel to Fairfield, Conn., this Saturday to compete in the seven-team Sacred Heart Invitational, facing teams in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for the first time since joining the league.

"We're going into this meet with our eyes wide open," added DiSilvestro. "It will be our first race against these schools."