The Basics
Drake Rowing is set to commence its Spring season in DeLand, Florida, racing against Lafayette College in a tune-up race on Thursday, Mar. 14 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Bulldogs will race four varsity fours against the Lafayette College Crew Club.

The Bulldogs will then remain in DeLand, Florida, and compete in races against Stetson, Connecticut, Rollins, Wesleyan and Jacksonville on Saturday, Mar. 16. The races will begin at 10 a.m. ET. Drake will race two varsity eights and two varsity fours in the event. 
 
Coach Charlie DiSilvestro on Goals for the Race
"For us, the most important part is being able to control our race plan while it's not just a Drake boat sitting next to us. We need to be able to follow our race plan and not get so caught up in having a different boat next to us. So that's our goal tomorrow, is to stay controlled with another team next to us."
 
Coach DiSilvestro on the First Race of the Spring
"We haven't raced yet, so this is our first time lining up against somebody other than our own team. We've been having a really great spring training so far, and it's going to be exciting to see us in action."
 
Fall Season Recap
The Bulldogs had a successful fall season, that included the breaking of a school record. In the first race of the fall, Lily Evan-Cook and Sara Wilson rowed a 19:57.664 time which broke the school pair record of 20:06 on The Head of the Des Moines course. Caitlyn Figge and Kiernan Blanchard also surpassed the previous school record, with a 19:58.798 finish right behind their teammates.
 
The Bulldogs also competed in Iowa City, Iowa twice in the fall. Drake scrimmaged against Iowa and competed in the Iowa Chase races. The Bulldogs impressed in the Iowa Chase races, as a Drake varsity four-boat notched a second-place finish.
 
Coach DiSilvestro's team rounded out the fall campaign with a narrow loss to Creighton in Des Moines. The Bulldogs won the varsity four race in a best two out of three competition but lost both of the varsity eight races. Drake's novice boats, however, both secured wins. The Bulldogs raced a novice eight and a novice four, and boat boats edged out their Blue Jay competition. Despite winning three of the five total races, the varsity boats determined the overall outcome of the race, which gave Creighton the win.
 
Up Next
Drake will compete in the Lubbers Cup Regatta in Grand Rapids, Mich. on April 6, 2024.