Lane 9 News Archive: George Mason, Boston College Top Winners; Olympians Swim at Keys Orange Bowl Event

George Mason, Boston College Top Winners; Olympians Swim at Keys Orange Bowl Event -- January 5, 2008

"I think the key is that our kids were willing to get up and race, no matter what the competition." - Peter Ward

KEY LARGO, Florida Keys, January 5. GEORGE Mason University won the women's division and tied Boston College in the men's division Saturday at the Orange Bowl Swimming Classic in the Florida Keys.

With 427 points, George Mason's swimmers placed first in half of a dozen different woman's events that attracted eight universities to the Jacobs Aquatic Center.

"I think the key is that our kids were willing to get up and race, no matter what the competition," said George Mason Coach Peter Ward. "It's always nice to win and were thrilled to be here. It's a lot colder in Virginia."

Boston College coach Tom Groeden said it was the first time one of his swimming teams had ever tied for first place in this 36-year coaching career.

"With the structure of (swimming) meets, it's hard to do," said Groeden.

Boston College placed second in the women's division with 403.5 points, while Minnesota State University Moorhead was third with 322 points. In the men's division, Washington College was third with 280 points behind Boston College and George Mason's 464 points.

Athletes from other universities that swam included California University of Pennsylvania, Oberlin College (Ohio), St. Peters College (New Jersey), and Vassar College (New York) .

Among those competing in exhibition swims were Gary Hall Jr., the fourth most-decorated U.S. Olympic swimmer in history with 10 medals; George Bovell, a 2004 bronze medalist, and Guy Barnea, a member of the 2008 Israeli Olympic team. They and other members of The Race Club, based in nearby Islamorada, also shared training tips and interacted with more than 300 swimmers that competed in the event.

Hall said he was training extensively to compete for a spot in the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

Special thanks to the Orange Bowl Swimming Classic for contributing this report.

Results: Orange Bowl Classic