Men's and Women's Rowing Spring 2017 Season Preview

PHILADELPHIA – The Drexel rowing team is hoping the spring season will mark the continuance of its ascent up the charts of the national and international rowing world. Last spring, the Dragons set the bar high with their fourth consecutive Dad Vail Regatta team title, a program-best national ranking and program firsts at the Henley Royal Regatta.

Now, the spring 2017 season is right around the corner. Here's what you need to know before the boats take to the water.

Fall Season Review
Drexel got off to a solid start with its fall season as it searched for the best boat lineups to ensure a fast spring start. Both of the varsity eights finished second to Penn amongst collegiate boats at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, while both of the second varsity eights earned top-10 finishes at the Head of the Charles Regatta. Sandwiched between the team's usual dominance at the Rumson season opener and the Frostbite season finale, the Dragons' men picked up a couple of victories at Navy Day, the crews put together strong showings at the Princeton Chase and they took home wins at the team's first shot at the Rutgers Fall Classic.

Women's Lineup
The Drexel women's team returns much of its top talent from last spring. Both the varsity eight and second varsity eight return seven of nine rowers.

The Dragons return two experienced senior coxswains in Nupur Parikh and Abigail Colasacco. Drexel will also be joined by another impressive group of newcomers, including a handful of freshmen that figure to be in the mix for seats in the top boats.

Boat: Return/Departed
Varsity 8: 7/2
Second Varsity 8: 7/2
Varsity 4: 5/0

Men's Lineup
The men's team is working through a bit more turnover than the women. The varsity eight boat returns four of last year's nine rowers, while the second varsity eight loses three of its nine rowers.

The men also have two experienced and accomplished coxswains in senior Brett Barry and junior Malcolm Newman, both of whom are Dad Vail gold medalists. The men also have a strong incoming class of their own that includes a few rowers who could compete for seats in the top boats.

Boat: Return/Departed
Varsity 8: 4/5
Second Varsity 8: 6/3
Varsity 4: 5/0

Upcoming Spring Schedule
There are a number of dates circled on the Dragons' spring calendar. The women's crew opens its season with a trip to California for racing against Sacramento State, San Diego, Saint Mary's and Loyola Marymount beginning on March 18.

April is shaping up to be a jam-packed month for both teams. Both teams will race on the Potomac at the George Washington Invitational on April 7-8, where last season the men's crew earned signature wins over ranked crews from George Washington and Georgetown. The next weekend, the Dragons host the 51st annual Kerr Cup Regatta on the Schuylkill on April 15, before defending their Bergen and Kelly Cup titles, which they have won seven of the last eight years. The month closes with the women's crew facing a tough test at the Eastern Sprints on Lake Quinsigamond, where it will get its first look at the reigning conference champion Northeastern Huskies.

The Dragons will race for their fifth consecutive Dad Vail Regatta title on May 12-13 on the Schuylkill, a race that has become the highlight of the Blue & Gold's excellence. That same weekend, on Mother's Day, Drexel's women will race for their first Colonial Athletic Association title on the Cooper River and a chance at an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. Drexel's men close out their season at the IRA National Championships, for which they have qualified as a team in each of the last five years, from June 2-4 on Lake Natoma in Sacramento, Calif.

Dragons Calendar.

Men's and Women's Rowing Spring 2017 Season Preview

Players Mentioned

Brett Barry

Abigail Colasacco

Malcolm Newman

Nupur Parikh

Drexel University Athletics