Kansas claims multiple medals at Mason Invite

FAIRFAX STATION, Va. – Kansas rowing claimed a trio of gold medals and a silver medal at the George Mason Invite Sunday on the Occoquan Reservoir in Fairfax Station, Virginia.

During the third regatta of the season, Kansas’ First Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight and the First Varsity Four all brought home gold medals after winning both their opening heat and grand final, while KU’s Third Varsity Eight earned a silver medal. All four Jayhawk shells that earned a lane in the grand finals brought home a medal.

Despite earning several medals, Kansas, along with West Virginia and Old Dominion, came up one point short of winning the Mason Invite for the third-consecutive year. The trio ended the day with a total of 43 points, but the Colonial Athletic Association came out on top with 44 points.

KU’s First Varsity Eight started the day out strong right out of the gate. Wave the Wheat crossed the finish line in 6:32.50, which was seven seconds faster than Big 12 foe West Virginia to advance to the grand final. The Jayhawks didn’t let up as Wave the Wheat won the first gold medal of the day for KU. The First Varsity Eight out raced Eastern Michigan and St. Joe’s with a time of 6:33.30.

The Jayhawks’ Second Varsity Eight continued on with KU’s success after advancing to its own grand final, crossing the finish line 14 seconds ahead of second-place West Virginia, with a time of 6:49.50. Ad Astra cut four seconds off of its qualifying time to finish first in the grand final, recording a time of 6:45.10.

The third gold medal of the day went to KU’s First Varsity Four after qualifying for the grand final, clocking a time of 7:31.30 in its opening heat. The Oread flew ahead of Villanova in the grand final, crossing the finish line in first place with a time of 7.35.00.

Kansas’ Third Varsity Eight placed second in its grand final, registering a time of 7:00.95 in its second race of the day. KU’s Second Varsity Four and Third Varsity Four competed in exhibition races to round out the competition.