KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Drake University rowing team competed against the Kansas Jayhawks in a shortened dual Saturday on the waters of Wyandotte County Lake. Only two of the four scheduled races between Drake and Kansas launched due to high wind conditions.
 
"It was a mixed day for us today as really happy with the boats that raced but disappointed for our fours not to get to compete," said Drake head coach Charlie DiSilvestro. "It was the right call though as it became unrowable and would have made it unfair racing."
 
The day was cut short, due to choppy weather conditions on the water as wind speeds made it difficult to row. The 1V8 and 2V8 were the only pair of races that were able to be completed. Drake finished first in the 2V8 with a time of 9:09.05 and second in the 1V/2V with a time of 9:43.4. Its 3V8 competed in an untimed race.
 
"Our third 8 had a really good race in their final race of the year," DiSilvestro said. "Their execution of the race plan went well and I'm really proud of them ending the year like they did. "in the 2V we made a lineup change and they rowed a really good race in very tough conditions into a howling headwind down the course but they fought through it and had the race they needed heading into conference. Finally, our Varsity 8 raced really well too. It was the best they looked all year. They adapted really well and fought really hard with Kansas down the course. while executed their race plan.
 
Drake heads to the 2021 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships May 16 in Pennsauken Township, N.J. Prior to conference, the program will host its end-of-season banquet from noon to 2 p.m.
 
"We're excited for conference in just over two weeks," DiSilvestro said. "Ready for all conditions after racing in all of them this spring and I'm really happy with how the team is going heading into conference.
 
Kansas Dual Results
1V/2V – Drake 8:43.4 | KU 8:28.0
Drake Lineup (Zozokos (Coxswain), Lajoie, Bigus, Froeschner, Smith, Evan-Cook, Manolis, Hovland, Pereira)
 
2V8 – Drake 9:09.5 | KU 9:26.8
Drake Lineup (Grizzle (Coxswain), Peck, Wilson, Whyte, Reece, York, Rader, Belmond, Pomeroy)
 
3V8 – Drake No Time
Drake Lineup (Riordan, Bourgeois, Kearns, Smyth, Sala, Lovitsch, Fahning, Villalba-Torres, Brenna)