FAIRFAX STATION, Va. - A total of 24 years after its official beginning as a club team in January 1990, the Catholic University men's rowing team put in for the first time as a collegiate program on Sunday as the Cardinals participated in the novice eights at the Occoquan Chase.

Coxed by freshman Christian Bordak-Roseman and stroked by sophomore Matthew Toppi, Catholic distanced itself from Virginia Tech in the two-boat race, finishing first in a time of 19:10.07.

"I'm really proud of the races our athletes put together today," said head coach Katie O'Driscoll. "The fact they they can perform like that after being on the water for only a month is a testament to just how hard they've been working and how quickly they've acquired some of these technical skills."

The Cardinals finished a minute and 20 seconds ahead of the Hokies.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," added O'Driscoll. "I'm most excited to get back to work and continue building on this speed. We have three weeks before our next race which is right back here on the same course. I can't wait to see how much speed they can gain between now and then."

For a full list of results from the Occoquan Chase, click here.

Catholic returns to action on Saturday, November 3 at the Head of the Occoquan at Sandy Run Regional Park.

Novice Eights
Catholic - 19:10.07
8: Matthew Toppi, 7: Evan Turkovic, 6: Jack Rowing, 5: Jack Holcomb, 4: Declan Waters, 3: Matthew Blanchard, 2: Mario Echevarria, 1: Dino Verci Vitti, C: Christian Bordak-Roseman