Nov. 2, 2004

Fairfax, Va.--George Mason University's women's rowing team raced in the Head of the Schuylkill in Philadelphia, Pa. on Oct. 30 with the First Varsity Eight placing in the top-20.

The First Varsity Eight boat finished the 5,000-meter race 17th for the Patriots, out of 23 boats, in a time of 16:18.31 after having a run-in with another boat 300-yards from the finish line. The Mason team comprised of coxswain-Jessica Dillman, stroke-Megan Duvall, 7-Kelly Bryan, 6-Lindsay English, 5-Paige Beaudoin, 4-Jessica Barnes, 3-Marissa Olesen, 2-Nicole Pierce, bow-Cristina Gonzalez.

The Second Varsity Eight boat crossed the finish line in 16:31.54 to garner a 23rd place finish, out of 40 boats, which was a better time than any of the other Colonial Athletic Association `B' boats that competed in the race. The Patriots were comprised of coxswain-Lee Ann Fisher, stroke-Terry Seal, 7-Ednaline Concepcion, 6-Christina Piazza, 5-Casey Clausen, 4-Lydia Wheeler, 3-Kathryn Rose, 2-Sibley Slinkard, bow-Christina Friend.

The Novice Eight boat claimed a 35th place finish, out of 56 boats, as the Patriots finished in a time of 18.04.66 for their first race of the fall season. Mason was comprised of coxswain-Linh Loang, stroke-Nikki Hodge, 7-Patty Stamm, 6-Amy Nelson, 5-Jessica Brand, 4-Melanie Kahl, 3-Heather West, 2-Leah Dick, Bow-Serena Gallagher.

"Even though we had some mixed results this past weekend, overall, all the boats rowed well and raced hard," said interim head rowing coach Andrea Snail. "I am looking forward to the Head of the Occoquan to see how we perform and close out the fall season."

The Patriots will return to action when they compete at the Head of the Occoquan in Occoquan, Va. on Nov. 6.