Nov. 1, 2005

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The George Mason women's rowing team competed at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta on Saturday in Philadelphia. The Patriots varsity and novice rowers entered seven boats in a combined five races, finishing in the top 15 with four boats.

The Patriots varsity 8+ crew covered the 2.5-mile course with a time of 14:23.64, finishing 13th among the 22 competing boats. The Patriots finished ahead of CAA rivals Delaware and Drexel, with the boat from Navy winning the Championship Eights with a time of 13:48.94. Last season, Mason's women's crew varsity boat finished 17th at the Head of the Schuylkill with a 16:18.31 time.

"I was extremely pleased with the varsity 8+" said Coach Geoff Dillard. "We had a rough week of practice including some lineup changes, but yet they went out on race day and had a great race. This was a very tough field and we were able to compete with them and beat some good crews. The key is not to be satisfied, but instead use this as momentum to get faster, and make that next jump. Our varsity 4+ rowed very well, which continues to show we are capable of rowing at a high level," added Dillard.

In addition to the women's varsity boat, Mason had boats competing in the women's club eight, women's novice eight, novice four, open four and club eight. The Patriots varsity four boat finished fourth out of 36 boats, just :30 seconds off the winning boat. The two boats entered in the novice four finished 8th and 13th out of 18 boats entered. Women's club eight placed 28th out of 46 boats, while the novice eight finished 34th and 47th out 58 boats entered.

"The novice squad put in a solid effort in their first race of the fall season," said assistant coach Andrea Smail. "The experience they gained gives them a base to build on for the Head of the Occoquan this weekend."

The Patriots will return to action on Sunday, November 6, at the Head of the Occoquan.