FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University rowing head coach Ted Nagorsen has announced the addition of six incoming student-athletes to the roster for the 2017-18 season.

The group includes Leah Gillespie (Crozet, Va.), Katelyn James (Mathews, Va.), Caroline Larson (Williamsburg, Va.), Elizabeth Tubb (Virginia Beach, Va.), Fabriana Velasquez (Alexandria, Va.) and Alexandria "Xander" Huffman (Midland, Mich.).

"Our program is thrilled to welcome these six talented student-athletes to George Mason University," Nagorsen said. "As we continue to raise the standard of success within our team, this group will play a key role in taking the program to the next level in the coming years."

Leah Gillespie
Leah rows for Western Albemarle High School in Crozet, Virginia. Western Albemarle is a perennial power in sculling both within Virginia as well and nationally. Leah has made her owni mpact within that tradition. Last year her crew finished third in the country in the 2^nd Varsity Quad at the SRAA National Championship Regatta. We're excited to welcome Leah and her sculling acumen to George Mason.

Katelyn James
Katelyn rows for Mathews High School in Mathews, Virginia. She will be the second Mathews rower currently at Mason, joining senior Taylor Williams. Katelyn is a powerhouse on the water and on the ergometer. She will bring a lot of horsepower to our team and the coaches are all looking forward to having her in our boats next year. Katelyn plans on majoring in Biology and then enrolling in medical school upon graduation.

Caroline Larson
Caroline rows for Williamsburg Boat Club in Williamsburg, Virginia. Williamsburg Boat Club is a young team and Caroline is relatively new to rowing herself. Caroline has been rowing this year in WBC's varsity eight and varsity four. Her enthusiasm for the sport is contagious and we're looking forward to adding her energy to our team. She plans on majoring in criminal justice.

Elizabeth Tubb
Elizabeth is a coxswain for First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She has most recently been the coxswain of her team's varsity four. Elizabeth's coaches describe her as a devoted student of coxing and a person that all of her teammates respect. Those qualities will serve her well in her time at Mason. She hopes to pursue an accelerated bachelor's/master's degree in secondary education with a concentration in history and social science.

Fabriana Velasquez
Fabriana is a coxswain for Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Virginia. Fabriana has experience coxing across multiple ages, skill levels, and boat classes, for both men and women. Her wealth of experience will be a welcome addition to what is already a strong coxswain corps at Mason. She plans to major in film and video studies with a concentration in producing and directing.

Alexandria "Xander" Huffman
Alexandria "Xander" Huffman joins the Patriots as multi-sport athlete lettering in both swimming and rowing. Though coming to Mason from Michigan, Huffman began her rowing career in the Northern Virginia area. While with Mount Vernon High School Crew, Huffman medaled in several events as a novice, and by the end of her first year, was promoted to the top varsity eight.

In addition to rowing, Huffman is a certified peer mentor and is has been a volunteer AWANA teacher for young children for six years. She graduates cum laude from H. H. Dow High School in May.

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