FAIRFAX STATION, Va. - After a year of preparation, the Catholic University women's rowing team finally put in for the first race in program history. On Sunday, the Cardinals had two boats participating in the novice eights at the Occoquan Chase, finishing first and third in a race with Mary Washington and Virginia Tech.

"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 first eight, coxed by freshman Anna Paviglianiti and stroked by freshman Emily Chase, finished first in a time of 20:50.24 which was a minute and a half faster than Mary Washington who came in second in 22:20.87. The second eight, coxed by freshman Maria Letizia and stroked by freshman Suzanne Coale, placed third in 24:38.14 while Virginia Tech finished fourth with a time of 25:03.31.

"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 A - 20:50.24
8: Emily Chase, 7: Glynn Bradley, 6: Meghan Walsh, 5: Beth Pacious, 4: Margaret Higgins, 3: Hannah Martin, 2: Sarah Beretich, 1: Mary Potthast, C: Anna Paviglianiti

Catholic B - 24:38.14
8: Suzanne Coale, 7: Emma Patterson, 6: Sarah Wagner, 5: Christine Faber, 4: Michelle Kilmer, 3: Julianna Okupski, 2: Trystan Crichton, 1: Victoria Lising, C: Maria Letizia