FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason rowing team defended its Varsity 4 title at the Head of the Occoquan Saturday and added another gold medal taking first-place in the Varsity 8. The Patriots raced a total of nine boats at the Occoquan Reservoir at Sandy Run Regional Park.

Mason opened the day of racing with a solid performance claiming first-place in the Varsity 8. The Patriots crossed the finish line in 18:07.22 edging second-place George Washington which finished in 18:17.30. GW narrowly beat U.S. Naval Academy, which placed third in 18:17.32.

Two additional boats represented the Patriots in the Varsity 8, finishing in 17^th and 21^st place with times of 19:56.03 and 20:56.53, respectively.

In Mason's second event of the day, the Novice 8 finished 15^th and 20^th place, respectively, crossing in 23:12.17 and 24:25.99.

The Patriots struck gold again in their final event of the day, defending its title in the Varsity 4. Mason raced four boats in the Varsity 4 and took first-place with a time of 20:04.43. The Patriots bested second-place George Washington which crossed in 20:11.56.

Mason took another top-10 finish in the Varsity 4, claiming 8^th-place with a time of 20:58.31. The final two boats for Mason in the Varsity 4 claimed 14^th and 16^th with times of 22:43.21 and 22:56.76, respectively.

Mason took first-place in the Varsity 4 last season at the Head of the Occoquan and finished second in the Varsity 8.

The Patriots conclude their fall portion of the schedule at the Frostbite Regatta in Philadelphia, Pa. on November 12.