April 27, 2004

Philadelphia, Penn.-George Mason University's women's rowing team raced three Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) teams, Drexel, Delaware and Old Dominion, at the Kerr Cup/CAA Championships on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Penn. on April 24.

The first varsity eight placed third (6:47) in its division behind Drexel (6:38) and Delaware (6:41). The boat was comprised of coxswain-Jessica Dillman, stroke-Laurel Sachleben, 7-Melissa Sanford, 6-Lindsay English, 5-Liz Judge, 4-Laura Craig, 3-Summer King, 2-Megan Duvall, and bow-Cristina Gonzalez.

In the second varsity eight race, Mason also finished third with a time of 7:10 behind Delaware (6:53) and Drexel (7:04). Racing in the boat was coxswain-Nancy Irby, stroke-Nicole Pierce, 7-Kelly Bryan, 6-Kathryn Rose, 5-Paige Beaudoin, 4-Amanda Scott, 3-Marissa Olesen, 2-Christina Piazza, and bow-Terry Seal.

At the start of the first novice eight race, a stake boat came loose, which started Drexel with a half-length advantage. The Dragons increased their lead on the Patriots further during the 2000-meter race to a full boat length, but Mason pushed ahead to finish second (7:09) behind Delaware (6:54) and one second ahead of Drexel (7:10). The Mason novice eight was comprised of coxswain-Lee Ann Fisher, stroke-Brooke Hansen, 7-Shannon Darner, 6-Lynn Concepcion, 5-Sarah Brann, 4-Jessica Barnes, 3-Melinda Scott, 2-Meghan Robinson, and bow-Eva Critz.

The second novice eight, which was not timed, finished second to Delaware (7:16). The boat included coxswain-Ann Reynolds, stroke-Jenni Kalis, 7-Amanda Cole, 6-Sibley Slinkard, 5-Erin Finnerty, 4-Amanda Koury, 3-Angela Chen, 2-Jesse Laltoo, and bow-Christina Friend.

"The novices showed some heart by pulling back Drexel's lead," said head coach Paul Rassam. "I think a lot of speed can still be pulled out of all our boats as we head towards Dad Vails, which is what we'll be looking to do."

The Patriot rowing team will be in back in action May 7 at the Dad Vail Championships in Philadelphia, Penn.