VCU Rams Invitational
When: Saturday, March 16, 10:00 a.m.
Where: Sports Backers Stadium, Richmond, Va.
Meet Schedule/Information: Click Here
Live Results: Click Here

The George Mason T&F team kicks off the 2013 outdoor season this weekend, traveling to Richmond for the VCU Rams Invitational at Sports Backers Stadium.

"We are excited to head outdoors," said head coach Andrew Gerard. "Both teams capped off indoors well and had some very encouraging performances during the latter stages of the season, but our focus has always been on outdoor so anything we've done has been in the context of prepping for the outdoor season and that time has now arrived.

"We add back in a number of impact folks on both sides and the difference in indoor vs outdoor events (adding javelin, discus, 4x100m, decathlon, 10,000m, steeplechase, etc.) plays to our team strengths so we are excited to get moving!"

A season ago the men's squad won its third-consecutive CAA Outdoor Track & Field title, while the women finished fourth at the conference meet. Former Mason athlete Lavell Handy was named the Men's Field Athlete of the meet, while David Verburg earned Men's Track Athlete of the Meet honors and Mandissa Marshall collected Women's Co-Field Athlete of the Meet accolades. Additionally, Verburg, Marshall and head coach Andrew Gerard earned took home top conference honors at the conclusion of the season.

The men and women would go on to win a combined five ECAC/IC4A titles, while the men claimed the IC4A team title. Thirteen members of the program advanced to compete at the NCAA East Regionals, with three individuals (Handy, Verburg, Marshall) and both 4x400m relays punching their tickets to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Mason is coming off of a strong indoor campaign that saw one individual and one relay advance to the NCAA Indoor Championships in addition to capturing three ECAC/IC4A titles, four school records and numerous personal records.