George Washington University

Sept. 27, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC - The George Washington Rowing, Swimming, and Cross Country teams squared off in the first annual GW Athletic Department Triathlon, last Saturday.

Competing over a 600-yard swim, a six-kilometer "erg" (short for "ergometer" or rowing machine), and a five-kilometer run, the Colonials athletes participated in an all out competition for departmental bragging rights.

Cross Country head coach Brian Beil commented on the event saying, "It gave each of the athletes a glimpse into the lives of other athletes at GW. I have a new respect for every athlete on the Rowing and Swim teams."

Unfortunately, Beil was the only representative of the cross country team able to compete this year, as the date of the competition coincided with a rare rest day in the middle of the cross country competitive season.

"All of the runners on my men's team are convinced they could have beat my time, so they're all eager to get their shot sometime down the road," added Beil.

Swimming & Diving head coach Dan Rhinehart added, " It was a great idea, the teams had some fun, and competition between the teams gave it a little 'kick.' We definitely need to make this an annual event."

"It was terrific to see so many good athletes competing, regardless of their proficiency in a given discipline. This event was conceived as way to measure athletes in an event combining their specialty with two other events far less familiar to them, with the idea that top athletes will rise to the top," said head men's rowing coach Greg Myhr.

"The event was a great way to bring the teams together and gave everyone something to talk about with their fellow student-athletes," said head women's rowing coach Rob McCracken. "I know that my team is already looking forward to doing something like this again in the near future."

Drew Boudreau of men's swimming won the event in a total time of 54:38. Men's rowing took the team title (combined top five scores), while the swimming team bested all in combined women's and men's scores (top five each).

Top Individual Times (out of 62):
1. Drew Boudreau (Men's Swimming) - 54:38
2. Robert Berns (Men's Rowing) - 57:44
3. Tim Zessin (unattached) - 58:38
4. Brian Beil (Cross Country Head Coach) - 58:42
5. Max Greenblum (Men's Rowing) - 58:43
23. Andrea Martin (Women's Swimming) - 1:03.14