FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason rowing team kicks off its fall portion of the 2012-13 season on Sunday, October 14 at the Occoquan Chase. Racing will take place at Sandy Run Regional Park.

"We are looking forward to racing this weekend," commented head coach Geoff Dillard. "We have been doing a lot of inter-squad racing this fall and it will be nice to see where we stand against other competition."

The Patriots will race seven boats in the varsity 8, varsity 4 and novice 4. Mason will open racing at 11 a.m. with the Open 8, followed by the Open 4 at 1 p.m.

"We are focusing on making improvements that will help our whole team in the spring, but it is always nice as a student-athlete to go out and compete," noted Dillard.