The Drake women’s rowing team opened its fall campaign with a strong showing at the Head of the Des Moines Regatta last Saturday.

The team battled cold rain and wind in addition to its opponents. The team’s best finish of the day was fourth in the women’s club double race, out of nine teams.

“We handled the weather well for the most part,” Drake Head Coach Charlie DiSilvestro said. “We didn’t let the cold rain keep us from rowing. During the races, the girls did a good job of blocking out the weather and focusing.”

The Bulldogs competed in four of the 34 races on the day. The team also placed fourth out of seven in the women’s collegiate novice four race.

“We weren’t expecting the weather as bad as it was today,” junior captain Kat Moore said. “But it was good that the team refocused and made the best out of a less desirable situation.”

Saturday was the first of four fall meets for Drake. The team will return to practice and begin training for its next event, which is the Quad Cities Classic in Moline, Ill., on Oct. 9.

The Bulldogs are coming off their first season as members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The team placed fourth in the conference meet last spring.

DiSilvestro is looking for improvement as the fall season progresses.

“From what I saw today, we could work on getting stronger technically,” he said. “We should also increase conditioning, which is typical for this point in the season.”

Still, DiSilvestro was happy with the Bulldogs’ effort in dealing with adversity. The weather proved to be quite a factor in the outcome of most races throughout the day.

DiSilvestro said the team chemistry needs to improve.

“The girls could work on getting to know one another and trusting each other,” he said. “They need to believe in each other and row hard as a team.”

View a video interview with Kat Moore and other multimedia from Saturday’s regatta here.