FREDERICKSBURG, Va.--The Hood College track club became the first Blazers' athletic team to compete in a Capital Athletic Conference Championship when it took part in the CAC Track & Field Championships last Sunday at the University of Mary Washington.

Sophomore Ryan Jenkins led the way, finishing with the third fastest time in the 200-meter dash, posting the fifth fastest time in the 400 and anchoring Hood's fifth place 4x400-meter relay team. Other members of the relay were sophomore Steve Delaney and freshmen Brandon Garton and Tomilayo Komolafe.

Hood participated in the meet as a non-scoring guest. While Hood's participation was not scored, generally finishers in the top six earned team points.

Jenkins, who was part of a state championship program at Milton Hershey (Pa.) High School, was timed in 23.63 in the 200 and 52.44 at 400.

"Ryan is a track person's track person," head coach Brent Ayer said. "He was brought up in a good program, pays attention to detail and has good work habits. I suspected he would do well today."

Other Hood athletes with performances among the top six were Mark Mackenzie (fourth in the discus), Faraz Shoai (sixth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase) and Katie Thomas (sixth in the women's 200). Shoai carved 22 seconds from his school record in the steeplechase.

"Faraz has done the work and is now reaping the benefits," Ayer said. "Katie was tough. Her best place finish was in her fifth race of the day."

Thomas (women's 100 meters), Shane McCarrick (men's long jump) and Craig Callender (men's hammer throw) set school records despite placing out of the top six.

Also adding strong showings were Faizal Johnson (ninth in the men's 200), Rachel Pectol (ninth in the women's 400), April Penn (14th in the women's 5,000), Danielle Sgro (10th in the women's 5,000) and Terrence Sullivan (eighth in the men's javelin).

"We were proud to represent Hood for the first time at a CAC Championship, scored or unscored," Ayer said. "It was important to the growth of this program that we got to see and participate in this meet.Hopefully, we've had a look at the level of the competition and will begin rising to meet it."

The track club next participates in the Frederick Marathon Sunday, April 30. Senior Robert Mitchell will be competing at the full 26.2 mile distance. (His training blog appears in the on-line version of the Frederick News Post). Hood is also entering a co-ed relay team consisting of distance runners Danielle Sgro, Steve Delaney, April Penn and Faraz Shoai.