Nov. 18, 2007

2007 Patriot Invitational Central

FAIRFAX, Va. - Assisted by four event victories on Sunday, the George Mason women's swimming and diving team was able to break a first-place tie heading into the day and claim the 2007 Patriot Invitational crown. The women, with a score of 815, held off UMBC, who tallied a final score of 804.5. The men's squad finished in second place with a score of 597, as the UMBC men's team maintained a sizeable lead throughout the day and won the meet with a score of 1305.

"I think both teams performed extremely well this weekend, and far and above my expectations for the weekend. I was thrilled," said head coach Peter Ward.

Senior Sarah Bizer broke two meet records on Sunday, setting a new best in the 100-yard freestyle (51.60) and as the anchor of the 400-yard freestyle relay. The team of Caitlin Impink, Claire Weems, Mallory Pucci and Bizer came in with a time of 3:28.39.

On the men's side, junior Eric Knight continued his outstanding weekend by besting the meet record in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:02.14. He broke the 100 breast record on Saturday, making an NCAA B-cut with a time of 55.20 seconds. Additionally, Knight grabbed a win in the 100-yard freestyle Sunday with a time of 45.54. Senior Mallory Pucci recorded the final victory for the Patriot women, a 2:05.46 win in the 200-yard butterfly.

"Sarah swam awesome, setting school records and personal bests, and she had a phenomenal meet," said Ward. "Eric is doing amazing things and I think he's just scratching the surface of what he can be."

In diving action, the Patriots swept the events of the day, as senior Amanda Fielding and junior Justin Mallette notched victories in the 3-meter and 1-meter events.

Bizer and Knight will return to action in two weeks when they travel to the U.S. Short Course nationals in Atlanta, competing against a field that includes former Mason standout Tom Koucheravy.