Rowing 4/20/2013 5:30:00 PM Drake Athletics

Bulldogs Have Successful Day At Drake Invitational

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake rowing team won four races at its home regatta, the Drake Invitational, on the Des Moines River today. Prior to the start of the races the Bulldogs hosted a boat christening ceremony for 12 new boats outside of the Des Moines Boathouse.

“I'm real happy with our performance today,” Drake head coach Charlie DiSilvestro said. “Everyone raced well but there are a few things we need to work on for next weekend's conference races. Today we did a great job of executing our core race plans and just need to tune-up a few things before we head out to Princeton for conference.”

Drake won the first race of the day, the women's varsity 8 +, as its “A” boat of Jacque Nowers (Ames, Iowa) (cox), Jessica Nightser (Council Bluffs, Iowa), Brittany Michael (Pleasant Hill, Iowa), Maggie Benhart (St. Charles, Ill.), Katie Serbin (Hannibal, Mo.), Alex Lueck (West Allis, Wis.), Brianna Leinon (Sussex, Wis.), Kelsey Leahy (Madison, Wis.) and Emily Householter (Wheaton, Ill.), outraced St. Thomas and Drake's “B” boat.

Hannah Hennessy (Morris, Ill.) (cox), Lueck, Stephanie Boylan (Greenleaf, Wis.), Ashley Beall (Irvine, Calif., Leahy, Tristina Meister (Mitchell, Neb.), Kelsey Pfeifer (Whitefish Bay, Wis.), Serbin and Smith captured the second win of the day in the novice 8 + race over St. Thomas.

Nowers (cox), Nightser, Michael, Benhart and Leinon cruised to the win in the varsity 4 + “A” race edging KU, St. Thomas and Drake's “B” crew. Bri Varela (Olathe, Kan.), (cox) Bailey Berg (Eau Claire, Wis.), Megan Friel (Minooka, Ill.), Meister and Pfeifer defeated St. Thomas in the women's varsity 4 + “B” race for the Bulldogs final win of the afternoon.

“Overall it was a good day and we were so happy to host the boat christening and welcome many friends and family members of the Drake rowing program,” DiSilvestro said. “We had great weather and the spectators had great views and now we are ready to head to conference!”

Drake travels to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships next Saturday, April 27 in Princeton, New Jersey. The Bulldogs look to defend their 2012 MAAC title, their first in school history, when they race Saturday.

Drake Invitational Results

Race/Place/Order of Finish

Women's Varsity 8+ A - First Place (DU A, ST, DU B)

Jacque Nowers (cox)