PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The George Mason rowing team opened its spring campaign at the 31st Annual Murphy Cup in Philadelphia on Saturday. The one-day regatta was raced on the Schuylkill River as both of Mason's Varsity 4 boats took third place in their respective heats. Mason raced a total of five boats in the regatta.
The Varsity 4 opened the day with the Patriots racing two boats in two heats. The first boat crossed in 08:42.07 behind Navy and Loyola as the second boat also claimed third-place with a time of 08:17.30 behind Navy and Pittsburgh.
"The Varsity 4 had the best race of the day," commented head coach Geoff Dillard."They executed the race plan and were very consistent down the race course. They ended up having the sixth fastest time out of all the fours in the heats."
Mason's Novice 8 took to the water next in the first heat. The Patriots took fourth-place behind Lehigh, Navy and La Salle with a time of 07:49.37. In Mason's second to final event, the Second Varsity 8 crossed in 07:29.56 to take fourth place beating out Drexel and Buffalo. Drexel also took first-place with a time of 07:09.29.
The final event of the day for the Patriots, the Varsity 8 claimed a sixth-place finish with 07:14.13. Navy crossed first in 06:47.28.
"We wanted our other boats to build off the Varsity 4, who had a great race, but unfortunately that didn't happen," noted Dillard. "We lacked execution and did not race the way we practice. The season is still early and we don't want to make the same mistakes next week. I know we are capable of going much faster, but we need to execute on race day."
For complete results, please click here.
Mason returns to the water at the Occoquan Sprints on Sunday, April 7. The event will be held at the Sandy Run Regional Park.
Varsity 4 Heat 3
1. Navy A – 08:01.52
2. Loyola – 08:29.59
3. George Mason B – 08:42.07
4. Drexel – 08:49.02
Lineup: Carol Bentley, Anna Murphy, Mary Gauthier, Vicki Allers, Kelly Rice
Varsity 4 Heat 5
1. Navy B – 08:13.20
2. Pittsburgh – 08:13.77
3. George Mason A – 08:17.30
Lineup: Caitlin Lucas, Hayley Walczer, Amanda Houlihan, Allyson Nagle, Carolyn Tousley
Novice 8 Heat 1
1. Lehigh – 07:16.88
2. Navy – 07:20.63
3. La Salle – 07:46.72
4. George Mason – 07:49.37
5. Rutgers – 08:02.05
Lineup: Michelle Andrawis, Liz Roberts, Brittany Eckert, Kayla Salzman, Brittani Gomes, Morgan Silverstein, Marissa Jerry, Sarah Beamon, Morgan Obenchain
Second Varsity 8 Heat 3
1. Drexel A – 07:09.29
2. Williams – 07:13.59
3. Delaware – 07:13.96
4. George Mason – 07:29.56
5. Drexel B – 07:35.92
6. Buffalo B – 07:39.92
Lineup: Trish Kelshaw, Chandler Bishop, Jackson Hug, Brittany Richardson, Katie Bamberger, Katie Weintraub, Susannah Shamlian, Emily LaFalce, Cailyn Casto
Varsity 8 Heat 2
1. Navy – 06:47.28
2. Drexel – 06:57.94
3. Connecticut – 07:03.62
4. Delaware – 07:06.93
5. West Point – 07:09.68
6. George Mason – 07:14.13
Lineup: Nathalie Rosado-Burgos, Madison Beumer, Kim Griffin, Meredith Bennett, Cassie Robbins, Bridget Hally, Virginia Ratcliff, Kara Pohlmeier, Lindsay Bowen
