Des Moines, Iowa — The Bulldogs got the season started with the annual Head of the Des Moines race in the morning on Saturday, September 27. The Bulldogs raced two duos, one varsity four, and two varsity eights. It was a strong start to the season for Drake Rowing.
"We got a beautiful day," Head Coach Charlie DiSilvetro said. "The weather couldn't have been better. The team competed really well. The novices did really great for their first time."
The Bulldogs' varsity four was a novice four, and it was able to defeat a varsity boat — a significant feat for the Bulldog newcomers. The team also picked up two silver medals in the race.
Spotlighting specific performances: Lilliana Magnuson and
Skyler Duke rowed to a 20:58.5 time, finishing in second place. The varsity eight rowed by
Katherine Hanses,
Liliana Magnuson,
Camille Cole,
Skyler Duke,
Lucy Grizzle, Charis Waititu, Lauren High, Maeve Glennon, and Maddie Wenger also impressed, with a 21:06.8 time and a second-place finish.
"We told the team before the race that today was about supporting each other," Head Coach
Charlie DiSilvestro said. "We want to make sure that we're at the dock, helping each other get on and off the water, and cheering each other on, and they did an amazing job of that. So we were just really proud of them."
DiSilvestro highlighted stellar performances from the coxswains, Natalie Kelley,
Katherine Hanses, and
Izzy Silva. He mentioned that Kelley and Silva rowed and served as coxswains.
"I think it was just a nice start for the season, and it gives us a chance to look at how the newcomers are progressing because we're a very young team," DiSilvestro said. "I'm excited to have a full week of preparation before we have the head of the Mississippi up in the Twin Cities next."
Results
Duo: Time: 20:58.5. 2nd Place.
Liliana Magnuson,
Skyler Duke
Duo: Time: 22:39.3. 4th Place
Camille Cole,
Lucy Grizzle
1v4. 25:51.6. 3rd Place.
Izzy Silva
Adisyn Finnin
Kaci Brannan
Mary Gano
Natalie Kelley
1v8: 21:06.8. 2nd Place.
Katherine Hanses
Liliana Magnuson
Camille Cole
Skyler Duke
Lucy Grizzle
Charis Waititu
Lauren High
Maeve Glennon
Maddie Wenger
2v8. 24:57.4. 4th Place.
Natalie Kelley
Savanna Busch
Autumn Cross
Hannah Okle
Izzy Silva
Brielle Condon
Ellie Romero
Lauren Hafemeyer
Lilly Vogts
