YORK, Pa.--Junior Jessica Parrish of the Hood College women's track and field team captured individual titles in both the 100 and 200 meter dash Saturday at the 2008 Capital Athletic Conference championships hosted by York College (Pa.).

Last year's women's team scored six points at CACs and finished in sixth place, scoring in only three events. This year's women's team scored 49 points, finished fourth, had 12 scoring marks and set six new school records.

Leading the way was Parrish who won the 100 meters (13.04) and 200 meters (26.26). In the latter event, she won by :38 of a second. Both races were run into significant head-winds. Danielle Sgro complemented the effort by finishing second in the 10,000 meters with a new school record 41:24.23, a personal best by almost one minute. By finishing in the top two Parrish and Sgro became the first Hood female runners to earn all-conference honors. Sgro was previously recognized as all-CAC in cross country.

Katie Thomas had a busy day for the Blazers. She picked up sixth in the high jump with a new school record 4' 8 3/4", sixth in long jump with a new school record 15' 8 1/4", and sixth in the 400 meter hurdles.

Other scorers for the Blazers include Erica Hamor (fourth in the javelin), Katie Reichard (fifth in the javelin), Kayla Murphy (fifth in the hammer with a new school record of 95'2"), Lauren Smith (fifth in the steeplechase) and the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relay teams which both placed fourth. The latter consisting of Lauren Smith, Kelly Keyser, Katie Thomas and Sara Stiles lowered the school record.

  "This is a vastly improved team," said head coach Brent Ayer. "We need more depth to move to the next level; however, we have come a long way in only one year. We have some very talented top-performers that any team in this very tough league would love to have. In particular, I appreciate the efforts of Jack Griffin this spring. I can't imagine there are many start-up NCAA Division III track programs with a three-time US Olympic track coach working with them."