Oct. 18, 2005

FAIRFAX, VA--George Mason University's women's rowing team raced four boats at the Patriots own Occoquan Chase Regatta on Oct. 16 on the Occoquan Reservoir. Two varsity 8s and two varisty 4s were entered into their first race of the fall rowing season, which experienced tough and windy conditions.

Georgetown University won the varsity 8 race in a time of 15:51.71, just 22 seconds off George Mason's top boat. The Patriots first varsity 8 finished fifth, out of 19 boats, in the open eight category with a time of 16:13.64. The team comprised of coxswain-Lee Ann Fisher, stroke-Casey Clausen, 7-Amy Nelson, 6- Jessica Barnes, 5- Lynn Concepcion, 4- Kelly Bryan, 3- Nicole Pierce, 2-Lexi Soya, bow-Allison Kehlet.

The second varsity 8 boat placed 13th in the same oen eight category as the Patriot's first boat, with a time of 17:20.01. The team comprised of coxswain-Audrey Shankles, stroke-Lydia Wheeler, 7-Jess Laltoo, 6-Meghan Robinson, 5-Hannah Moulton, 4-Sibley Slinkard, 3-Autumn Pusateri, 2-Katrina Bors, bow-Amada Cole.

Mason entered two boats into the open four category with boat A finishing first among college entrants, third overall out of 15 boats, (18:06.34). The team comprised of coxswain-Audrey Shankles, stroke-Casey Clausen, 3-Amy Nelson, 2- Meghan Robinson, bow-Allison Kehlet. The second boat finished 12th with a time of 22:07.30. The team was coxswain-Lee Ann Fisher, stroke-Kelly Bryan, 3-Nicole Pierce, 2-Jessica Barnes, bow-Lydia Wheeler

"I was pleased with our results this past weekend," said Dillard. "I was encouraged to see that our girls did not let the conditions get to them, and stayed strong all the way to the end. It's encouraging to look up at the results board and see George Mason near the top. This is a sign that we are moving in the right direction and look to continue to build off this race."

The Patriots will return to action on Oct. 22-23 when they travel to Boston, MA to compete in the Head of the Charles Regatta.