EDISON, N.J. - The Drake University rowing team has been picked to finish fifth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason poll as voted on by the conference's 10 head coaches, the MAAC office announced Wednesday, Feb. 21. 

Four-time reigning champions Jacksonville earned six first-place votes to total 93 points as the preseason favorites. Marist comes in second with three first-place votes and 88 total points followed by Canisus with 72 in third. In fourth is Fairfield with 71, followed by Drake in fifth with 64 and Robert Morris with 48 in sixth. Sacred Heart placed seventh with 34 followed by Stetson with 30 in eighth. Iona College and Manhattan College rounded out the poll tied for ninth with 25 points. 

Drake travels to Clemson, S.C. for its annual spring break training trip, March 15-17. The Bulldogs will race conference opponent Marist on March 15 in Clemson. The 2018 MAAC Women's Rowing Championship will take place May 13 in Cherry Hill, N.J.