OCCOQUAN, Va. - The George Mason rowing team took to the Occoquan Reservoir at Sandy Run Regional Park Sunday morning for the 2012 Colonial Athletic Association Rowing Championship. Mason's varsity four paced the Patriots as the team finished seventh. Northeastern defended its title, claiming its third crown in four years with victories in the varsity 8 and second varsity 8.

Championship action got underway with the varsity 4 as Mason placed sixth. Making its first appearance in the CAA, Boston kept a close lead with Old Dominion to open the race. Buffalo and Northeastern followed closely behind as ODU held a consistent lead. Mason got off with a strong start, but slowly fell behind as Delaware edged out a one-seat lead on the Patriots. A late push lifted Buffalo and Boston to open-water victories as Buffalo crossed first in 7:47.5, followed by Boston in 7:47.6. Mason finished in sixth in 8:15.7.

The second varsity eight raced next and it was Northeastern that quickly jumped in front of Drexel and Boston out of the gate. The Huskies quickly opened a four-seat lead on a second-place race between Drexel and Boston. The battle in the second varsity eight was for the sixth and seventh place finishes between Mason and Old Dominion as Mason made a big push to move even with the Lady Monarchs late in the 2,000-meter course, but ODU held on for a slight advantage, claiming sixth. Mason took seventh in 7:31.2.

In the final event of the morning, Northeastern once again was quick with the start, challenging Boston for the lead. The Huskies claimed an open-water victory crossing in 6:41.8, ahead of second-place Boston (6:48.8).  Buffalo took third (6:51.3), followed by Old Dominion, Delaware and Mason.

Northeastern claimed the title earning 39 points through the three events. Boston University finished second with 34 points, followed by Buffalo (30), Drexel (22), Old Dominion (21), Delaware (15) and Mason (7).

After competing in their final home regatta of the season, the Patriots will return to action at the Dad Vail Regatta, May 11-12.

2012 CAA CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS (Time, Points)

Varsity 4
1^st - Buffalo                     7:47.5, 7
2^nd - Boston                   7:47.6, 6
3^rd - Old Dominion          7:51.3, 5
4^th - Northeastern           8:01.5, 4
5^th - Delaware                8:03.5, 3
6^th - Mason                    8:15.7, 2
7^th - Drexel                    8:24.4, 1

Second Varsity 8
1^st - Northeastern           7:01.4, 14
2^nd - Drexel                   7:06.8, 12
3^rd - Boston                   7:08.6, 10
4^th - Buffalo                   7:14.0, 8
5^th - Delaware                7:22.3, 6
6^th - Old Dominion          7:26.9, 4
7^th - Mason                    7:31.2, 2

Varsity 8
1^st- Northeastern             6:41.8, 21
2^nd - Boston                   6:48.8, 18
3^rd - Buffalo                    6:51.3, 15
4^th - Old Dominion          6:55.1, 12
5^th - Drexel                    6:57.3, 9
6^th - Delaware                7:05.8, 6
7^th - Mason                   7:06.6, 3

Final Team Standings
1^st - Northeastern - 39
2^nd - Boston University - 34
3^rd - Buffalo - 30
4^th - Drexel - 22
5^th - Old Dominion - 21
6^th - Delaware - 15
7^th - George Mason - 7

All-Conference Team
Rachel Conway - Delaware
Julia Jackson - Drexel
Liz Bratton - Drexel
Meaghan Pardy - ODU
Laurel Bransfield - ODU
Allison Sheehan - Buffalo
Rosa Kemp - Buffalo
Kayla Rivers - Boston
Cheryl Copson - Boston
Lynn Ratte - Boston
Greta Haselman - Northeastern
Clare Samuelson - Northeastern
Sarah Giancolo - Northeastern
Luisa Maldonado - Northeastern

Coach of the Year - Joe Wilhelm, Northeastern