Sept. 29, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA - George Mason University's women's rowing team opened up its fall season at the Bucknell Fall Invitational in Lewisburg, PA this past weekend (Sept. 28) where the Patriots registered a first place finish in all three races on the fast conditions of the Susquehanna River. Host-school, Bucknell, was the only other team competing in the Invitational since Drexel bowed out because of conflicts in practice time due to Hurricane Isabel.

The First Varsity Eight finished the four-mile race in 18:23, while Bucknell posted a time of 18:54. The Patriot team comprised of coxswain-Nancy Irby, stroke-Laurel Sachleben, 7-Melissa Sanford, 6-Laura Criag, 5-Patricia Angelo, 4-Lindsay English, 3-Mary Gonelli, 2-Liz Judge, 1-Megan Duvall.

The Second Varsity Eight crossed the finish line in 19:11 to Bucknell's time of 19:35. Mason's team was comprised of coxswain-Jessica Dillman, stroke-Nicole Pierce, 7-Paige Beaudoin, 6-Kelly Bryan, 5-Kate Laczynski, 4-Lesley Topping, 3-Christina Piazza, 2-Marissa Olesen, 1-Terry Seal.

"This was a really strong team performance this past weekend," said head coach Paul Rassam. "What we accomplished against Bucknell is a great way to begin the fall season."

Mason's Third Varsity Eight finished in 19:35, while Bucknell ended with a time of 19:54. GMU's team comprised of coxswain-Cristina Gonzalez, stroke-Summer King, 7-Amanda Scott, 6-Brooke Hansen, 5-Kate Laczynski, 4-Emma Abel, 3-Kathryn Rose, 2-Ann Reynolds, 1-Christi Scollin. This race was about 150 meters short of the four-mile race the other two boats raced.

The Patriots will compete next at the Head of the Ohio in Pittsburgh, PA on Oct. 4.