DELAND, Fla. - The Drake University rowing team begins its 2021 spring season Saturday and Sunday in DeLand, Fla. as the team will compete against fellow Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference members, Jacksonville and Stetson.
 
The three MAAC teams along with Florida Tech will race varsity 8, 2nd varsity 8, varsity 4 and 2nd varsity 4 head-to-head races on a 2,000-meter course over the two days on the picturesque Lake Beresford.
 
Drake is returning to competition for the first time in more than a year after the 2020 spring season was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by longtime head coach Charlie DiSilvestro, the Bulldogs were excited for the 2020 spring portion of its schedule looking to build on the program's third-place finish at the 2019 MAAC Championship. It was the highest finish at the conference championship for Drake since 2016.
 
DiSilvestro is eager for the start of the 2021 spring season after the team was also unable to compete in the fall of 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"We're so excited to race this weekend," DiSilvestro said. "This is the largest spring team we've had and they've done a great job this year. We didn't get back on the water until March 1 and it has been hit or miss if we row outside every day, but they've had great attitudes and work ethics. They've done a great job getting in shape with indoor training, lifting and conditioning and adapting to the water when we have been outside."
 
The trip this weekend for the Bulldogs' Florida traveling group starts a busy spring as they will compete every weekend until they get a break before 2021 MAAC Championships May 16 in Pennsauken Township, N.J. DiSilvestro has a roster that features 19 freshmen, 19 sophomores, seven juniors and zero seniors, and is looking forward to their upcoming opportunities.
 
"We're excited for the entire team as starting next weekend at Creighton everyone will be able to compete each weekend leading up to conference," DiSilvestro said.
 
Following Florida, Drake will compete at Creighton (April 17), at Iowa (April 24) and against Kansas (May 1) before the MAAC Championships on May 16.