FREDERICK, Md.--The Hood College women's cross country team captured the team title at the Third Annual Hood College Invitational squeaking past Villa Julie College, 43-44. In the men's race, Southern Virginia edged Hood by 11 points for the team title.

Leading the way for the Blazers in the women's race was sophomore Danielle Sgro, who finished as runner-up in 20:58. Villa Julie's Lindsay Koepper of Villa Julie College broke the meet record by 23 seconds, winning the race in 20:19.

The Hood win was nailed down by the solid mid-pack performances of Jessica Stanley, April Penn and senior captain Rachel Pectol, who finished eighth, ninth and 10th, respectively. Katie Thomas finished in 14th to complete the scoring and secure the win.

"Jessica ran a gritty, intelligent race, moving up from 20th place at the mile. April and Rachel have had better races, but they got the job done. Katie ran a personal best by almost a minute," observed head coach Brent Ayer. Senior captain Julia Blickenstaff (26th) and freshman Emily Brownlee (27th) completed the Hood Varsity top seven. "It is Senior Day and this is a very nice way for Rachel and Julia to go out. They were the first two runners I recruited and have been around since our first NCAA meet." Southern Virginia University placed third with 59 points, Mary Baldwin College was fourth with 72 points, the University of the District of Columbia was fifth at 128 points and Montgomery College ý Rockville was incomplete.

The Hood College men were led by freshman William Andrews who finished fourth overall (17:27). The Blazers put all five scorers in the top 11 places, but could not overcome the front-running of Southern Virginia University. Faraz Shoai was eighth, Blake Rust ninth, Blair Ames tenth and Steve Delaney 11th. The top finishers for the Knights placed second, third, fifth, sixth and 12th to outpoint Hood, 27-38.

"We are coming together at the right time," said Ayer. "We were about 90 seconds from the first to the fifth man. If we can tighten this up a little more we will be fine for the conference and regional meets. Southern Virginia has a nice team and they are well coached." Brendan Greenlees (15th) and Tomilayo Komolafe (20th) completed the top seven for the men.

Senior Robert Mitchell competed in his final home meet for the Blazers. Mitchell became the first male athlete in Hood College history to complete an NCAA event, when he finished the Seagull Opener on Labor Day 2003.

Wilfred Chamellan of the University of the District of Columbia won the menýs race in 16:20 as both he and Jeff White of Southern Virginia dipped under the course record of 16:39. In the men's team competition, the University of the District of Columbia finished third with 69 points, Montgomery College ý Rockville was fourth with 97 and Villa Julie College was incomplete.

The Hood College Invitational featured six schools that have started or are re-establishing programs within the last four years.

Hood returns to action Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Capital Athletic Conference championships hosted by Salisbury University. The men's race gets underway at 10:30 a.m.