Annville, Pa.--The Hood College track club team opened its 2006 season Saturday at a 12-team invitational hosted by Lebanon Valley College.

By the end of the day, Hood competitors set a half dozen school records and placed six runners in top positions.

The Hood women were led by freshman Katie Thomas. Running in her first track competition ever, Thomas set a school record in narrowly missing the final of the 55 meter dash. She came back to place sixth at 200 meters--also in a school record time--after competing in the 400.

"This was a nice first outing for Katie," Hood head coach Brent Ayer said. "She did not run track in high school and is learning the finer points of sprinting. Because we have practiced for only five days, we used this meet as a workout, doubling and tripling athletes in events." Also picking up places for the Hood women were junior captain Rachel Pectol (sixth at 400) and sophomore April Penn (third in the mile). Sophomore Sara Stiles competed in her first college meet, running in the 200 and 400.

The men were paced by sophomores Faraz Shoai and Ryan Jenkins. Shoai st a school record with his third-place finish at 5,000 meters. Jenkins finished sixth in the 400. Both Shoai and Jenkins also participated as members of the Blazers' first-ever 4x800 relay team that placed third.

Freshman Faizal Johnson, also competing for the first time at the college level, set a school record in the 55-meter dash and also ran the 200 and the 4x800 relay squad. Sophomore Steve Delaney was the fourth member of the relay team and also ran the mile.

Senior Mark MacKenzie set a school record in the shot put and freshman Will Emory ran the 200 and 400.

"The turns on the track were very tight, causing problems for sprinters," Ayer said. "This is a start. I look for all of these marks to come down significantly by the time we move outdoors."