Grand Rapids, Mich. — The Bulldogs wrapped up racing in the Lubbers Cup in Grand Rapids, Michigan where they fought through strong currents.
 
"The hard work is continuing to pay off," Head Coach Charlie DiSilvestro said. "The fitness level is good; we did much better than the past year. We had a really positive experience."
 
Drake rowed heat races in the morning before finals in the afternoon. The first varsity eight — consisting of Camille Gretter, Jessica Seelinger, Allyson Afrank, Caitlyn Figge, Maggie Poltrock, Camille Cole, Liliana Magnuson, Cayden Anderson and Skyler Duke — finished in first place with a time of 9:20.088 in its heat race. Then, in the afternoon, the second varsity eight won a race against Northwestern with a 9:20.826 time. The boat was rowed by Sarah Chastain, Jazmynn Good, Alana Rater, Claire Martin, Claire Mulder, Lucy Grizzle, Lillian Bitker, Zoey Borkowski and Gracie Joblinske.
 
"The current was very strong and that slowed the races down about a minute, which doesn't sound like a lot but when you're racing hard it takes its toll," DiSilvestro said. "We're really proud of the way the team handled that."
 
The second varsity eight finished in fourth place with a time of 9:48.316, the Novice four finished in fourth place at a 13:31.053 mark and, in its final afternoon race, the first varsity eight finished in second place at 8:41.394.
 
"There was really good improvement in our team from the morning racing to the afternoon," DiSilvestro said. "None of the boats were satisfied with their morning heat so we set goals for their afternoon and we accomplished them really well."
 
Results:
1V8 - first place, 9:20.088.
Coxswain: Camille Gretter
Jessica Seelinger
Allyson Afrank
Caitlyn Figge
Maggie Poltrock
Camille Cole
Liliana Magnuson
Cayden Anderson
Skyler Duke
 
2V8 - fourth place, 9:48.316.
Coxswain: Sarah Chastain
Jazmynn Good
Alana Rater
Claire Martin
Claire Mulder
Lucy Grizzle
Lillian Bitker
Zoey Borkowski
Gracie Joblinske
 
Novice 4 - fourth place, 13:31.053.
Coxswain: Izzy Silva
Hailey Castelar
Charis Waititu
Noelle Burke
Kaylee Counter
 
2V8 - first place, 9:20.826.
 
1V8 - second place. 8:41.394