WASHINGTON, Pa.-- Freshman Katie Thomas and sophomore Faraz Shoai established Hood College track club records at the Washington & Jefferson College Invitational April 8.

Thomas carved over 2 1/2 seconds off her previous best in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing in 1:16.16. She also picked up seventh-place points and was Hood's highest place finisher.

"This is Katie's first season running track," Blazer head coach Brent Ayer said. "When you consider that she did not run in high school, she has just a great job. She is fearless and will attempt almost any event. There are a lot easier places to begin your running career than in the 400 hurdles."

Her time met the Capital Athletic Conference qualifying standard for the event. (CAC standards are based on the average time earned by the sixth-place finisher in each event over the last three conference championship meets).

Shoai lowered his school record in the 5,000-meter run by over 11 seconds in recording a time of 17:10.68, good for 15th place in a field packed with both quality and depth.

"Faraz ran a beautifully-paced race," Ayer said. "He was patient and rolled through nearly half the field in the last half of the race. He's come a long way and I think he will reach his goal of ducking into the 16's this spring."

Thomas also lowered her 100-meter hurdles school record, but did not make the event finals. Rachel Pectol picked up a team point in the 400 by finishing eight.

The highest finish for the Hood men was tenth in the 400 recorded by sophomore captain Ryan Jenkins. Twelve colleges competed in the meet, which featured snow and rain before eventually clearing off later in the program. The Hood track club finished at the back of the team scoring.

"We were short nine student-athletes who were either ill or had prior commitments," Ayer said. "We need to refocus. We've had better days, and we will have better days before this season is through."