SALISBURY, Md. - The Cross Country team made the long trek to the opposite side of Maryland on Saturday to attend the Tidewater Fall Classic, hosted by Salisbury University. In the end, the trip was well worth it as a herd of Hood harriers rewrote the school and personal record books.

Leading the charge were William Andrews, Faraz Shoai, and Blake Rust who demolished Shoai's previous school record of 29:04 for 8,000 meters. Andrews set the new standard of 28:06 in leading the charge with a 32nd place team showing. One place back in 28:09 was Shoai, with Rust clocking in at 28:51, good for 45th. Completing the scoring for the Blazer men were Blair Ames in 29:43 (53rd), and Steve Delaney (55th) in 29:46. The Hood men finished 8th in the team competition.

Sophomore Danielle Sgro dropped under the school record for 6,000 set last year at this meet by Kelly Buriak, lowering the standard from 24:11 to 23:52. Sgroýs performance was good for 24th overall. Senior Captain Rachel Pectol was the second finisher for the Blazers running a personal record 2704, good for 63rd in team scoring. The 12th place women's team scoring was rounded out by April Penn (74th), Julia Blickenstaff (77th), and Katie Thomas (82nd).

"The conditions were perfect; 65-degrees, sunny, light wind, a pancake-flat course, and very good competition," observed head coach Brent Ayer. "I was impressed with the level of personal effort. For the men, this marks the first time we have had all five scoring athletes under 30:00 in the three-plus year history of the program. The effort was a break-through for Danielle. Kelly has been regarded as the 'gold-standard' for our women's program since its founding." In all 16 Hood runners set personal records. Joining the new record holders in setting personal standards were: Shoai, Rust, Pectol, Thomas, Ames, Delaney, Brendan Greenlees, Tomilayo Komolafe, David Frazier, Ben Caplins, Julia & Lisa Blickenstaff, Thomas, and Sara Stiles.

The Cross Country team returns to action next Saturday at the Mid Atlantic Fall Classic, hosted by Goucher College.