Results

PHILADELPHIA – The George Mason University rowing team will send both its Varsity 8+ and Second Varsity 8+ boats to Saturday's petite final action after a spirited day of racing Friday at the historic Dad Vail Regatta.
 
Amongst the hundreds of college crews, boisterous fans and hospitality tents that come with an event of Dad Vail's stature, the Patriots arrived on the shores of the Schuykill River with a distinct energy for the final race weekend of the 2017-18 campaign.
 
Mason's Varsity 8+ led off the day at 9:56 a.m. and easily qualified for semifinal action after an excellent row in morning time trials. The Patriots looked smooth and efficient in the water down the stretch, while crossing the finish line in 6:23.99. That finish put the Patriots in seventh place in the 18-team field, ahead of A-10 rivals Saint Joseph's and Duquesne, as well as national brands Florida, Ohio State and Purdue.
 
In the afternoon semifinal, Mason took to lane five, but had an unfortunate break when the wake from another boat negatively impacted the Patriots' speed and consistency during the race's first 500 meters. Mason battled to make up the ground, but ultimately placed sixth in the race in a time of 6:57.37. With that result, the Green & Gold move on to the petite final – the second of two finals – on Saturday at approximately 4:30 p.m.
 
The Second Varsity 8+ took to the water at 1:35 p.m. and put together a competitive race. Mason came down the home stretch neck-and-neck with Duquesne, but the Dukes were able to close out the race a couple seconds ahead of the Green & Gold. Mason finished its 2000 meters in 7:09.68 and will now compete in Saturday's petite final at 8:35 a.m.
 
Check back to GoMason.com on Saturday afternoon for a complete recap of Saturday's Dad Vail conclusion.
 
RESULTS
 
VARSITY 8+
Time Trial
1. Boston University – 6:07.38
2. MIT – 6:14.08
3. Massachusetts – 6:16.88
4. Fordham – 6:18.41
5. Drexel – 6:21.52
6. Grand Valley – 6:22.97
7. George Mason – 6:23.99
8. Saint Joseph's – 6:24.10
9. Purdue – 6:26.53
10. Duquesne – 6:27.62
11. Washington College – 6:28.15
12. Middlebury – 6:31.42
13. Case – 6:31.98
14. Army 2 – 6:35.45
15. Ohio State – 6:46.18
16. Florida – 6:48.11
17. Marquette – 6:56.73
18. SUNY Geneseo – 7:05.38
 
Semifinal
1. Massachusetts – 6:36.27
2. MIT – 6:38.81
3. Grand Valley – 6:51.12
4. Washington College – 6:52.76
5. Duquesne – 6:52.81
6. George Mason – 6:57.37
 
SECOND VARSITY 8+
Heat 1
1. Drexel – 6:46.85
2. Saint Joseph's – 6:58.59
3. Duquesne – 7:05.09
4. George Mason – 7:09.68