Maria Moss

Women's Cross Country Journeys to Towson to Start 2009 Season

TOWSON, Md.--The Hood College women's cross country team sent four representatives to the Baltimore Metro Meet Friday hosted by Towson University at Oregon Ridge Park.

Senior Jess Stanley was Hood's top finisher, coming in 43rd of 90 competitors with a time of 22:22.60. Sophomore Joanna LaBoue competed in her first collegiate race and clocked a time of 23:55.95, good for 63rd. Classmate Maria Moss finished just under 14 seconds after LaBoue at 24:09.83 and junior Sam Smith posted a time of 26:20.80.

"Joanna ran her first college race and did well," said head coach Brent Ayer. "There will be some pick up in time and places later in the year as we learn to race more efficiently, but they are off to nice starts. Jess Stanley, who is more of a 400/800 runner, did an excellent job. We sat a number of our newer runners to wait until they have more conditioning."

Johns Hopkins University senior Laura Paulsen set the pace at 18:27.15.

Hood's next meet is slated for Saturday, Sept. 12, at McDaniel College beginning at 9:30 a.m.