DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University rowing team has added Jacqueline
Bigus (Chicago, Ill.), Grace Cook-Burton (Dallas, Texas), Megan Faria (Vero Beach, Fla.), Clara Froeschner (Iowa City, Iowa), Kate Johnson (Mequon, Wis.) and Maddie Smith (Des Moines, Iowa) for the 2018-19 season, head coach Charlie DiSilvestro announced Friday, Dec. 7.
 
Bigus attends Loyola Academy and is a member of its rowing team. She helped Loyola's 1^st varsity 8 boat claim third place at the prestigious Scholastic Rowing Association Championship of America National Championship last spring. Bigus was a member of several of the academy's varsity 8 boats that won races at the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championship the past two years.
 
"Matt Baldino is Jacqueline's coach and he does a great job of preparing his athletes for college," DiSilvestro said. "I am so impressed with her quiet work ethic. She is not vocal in her leadership but works incredibly hard. Jacqueline will be a very strong addition to our team."
 
Cook-Burton attends Bishop Lynch High School and is a member of the Dallas United Crew Club. She helped her club's lightweight 8 and 4 boats finish first at the 2017 Texas Rowing Championship. Her mother, Audrey, is a Drake graduate.
 
"Grace is our first-ever recruit to come from Texas," DiSilvestro said. "She is high energy and you can't spend five minutes with her without being excited. I love having athletes with that level of energy. It is infectious and Grace will be a great addition to our team."
 
Faria attends Sebastian River High School and is a member of its rowing team. She is a four-year letterwinner in golf and rowing. On the water, Faria has helped the Great White Sharks win several races.
 
"Meghan comes from Sebastian and is another high-energy rower," DiSilvestro said. "We got to know her team through our winter training camp down there. The way their team prepares their athletes is really good for college rowing. I love Meghan's toughness and am excited to have her join the team."
 
Froeschner attends Iowa City High School and rows for the Hawkeye Community Rowing Club. She is a four-year member of the Little Hawks' swimming team.
 
"Clara is our first Iowa City recruit," DiSilvestro said. "Her club isn't a big club but with her work ethic that her coaches shared with me and her love of our sport were things that I knew would be great additions to our team."
 
Johnson attends Homestead High School and is a member of the Milwaukee Rowing Club. She chose Drake for the endless opportunities offered by academics and athletics.
 
"Kate rows for Roger Huffman and Roger trains his athletes like they're already in college," DiSilvestro said. "So, they're ready right away for the work load. What really impressed me was her maturity during the recruiting process. Kate is very organized, and knew what she wanted academically and with the team. She will be a great addition."
 
The final member of the class is local product, Smith, from Dowling Catholic who is a member of the Des Moines Rowing Club. She was a two-year letterwinner for the Maroons' softball team. Smith's parents, Pat and Sue, each graduated from Drake.
 
"Maddie is our first Des Moines Rowing Club recruit," DiSilvestro said. "I have been able to watch her quite a bit out on the river with the club. I really respect her decision to stay close to home and it will allow her parents to watch her rowing experience up close. I have gotten to know her family and know they will be a great addition to our rowing family."