Brent Ayer is one of the top runners in Frederick history, and he has used that success as a runner to establish a solid foundation for Hood's men's and women's cross country and track and field programs. After starting with just six athletes in 2003, the programs have grown to nearly 40 athletes due to Ayer's relentless drive and determination.

Both programs have shown continued improvement under Ayer's direction. The 2008-09 season was highlighted by 22 school-record setting individual performances in track & field. Danielle Sgro earned all-conference honors in cross country and Jessica Parrish, Chris DiGangi, Erica Hamor and Jessica Stanley matched her in the spring. Parrish became the first individual Hood College student-athlete to capture athlete of the year honors in the Capital Athletic Conference and to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

For the fifth year in a row the Blazer women's squad was named an NCAA Division III All-Academic Team by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA), and the men's team earned its first selection in 2006.

Ayer's commitment to the sport extends beyond Hood College, as he serves as the president of the Road Runners Club of America in 2008-09. In May 2008, Ayer was elected President of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), an association of 975 running clubs and events from around the nation.

He was honored by the RRCA with the President's Award at the RRCA National Awards Banquet March 11, 2006 in Houston. The President's Award is a prestigious honor that acknowledges the service to the RRCA and the sport of running by a dedicated individual. Ayer received the award for his significant service to the RRCA when he stepped in and voluntarily handled the affairs of the RRCA National Office during a time of organizational transition.

In addition to his duties as head cross country coach, Ayer has also served as Hood's head men's and women's track and field coach since the inception of both programs in March 2004. After guiding the programs through two years at the club level, Ayer's efforts were rewarded when track and field was elevated to varsity status for the 2007 season.

Ayer, who holds USATF Level II Endurance Coaches Certification, won numerous awards and honors during his collegiate running career and held the records for every distance from one mile to the marathon competitions at Frederick Community College. His career bests include a 31:23 6-mile; a 2:36:38:0 marathon; and a 6:19:10:0 50-mile. Ayer has finished 17 marathons and three ultra-marathons. He was named a Masters All-America for the 3000-meter steeplechase in 1999 and the 3000-meter run in 2001 and Runner of the Year by Frederick's Steeplechasers Running Club in 1994.

As distance coach of the Frederick Striders Track and Field Club since 2000, Ayer has guided athletes to two national championships at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics. Of the athletes he's coached, 15 have been national qualifiers, 30 regional qualifiers and 12 state champions. In addition, he serves on a number of committees for USA Track & Field, the Olympic governing body of the sport.

Ayer is a graduate of Lewis University, where he briefly held the record for the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He holds a master's degree from Frostburg State University and has worked as a staff member for the United States House of Representatives for the past 29 years. He also writes training advice sections for the on-line versions of Running Times Magazine and the Frederick News-Post.

Ayer is married to Mary Catherine Keegan and they, and their three children, reside in Frederick, Md.

Jack Griffin joins Hood's track and field staff in the spring of 2008 as a volunteer assistant coach. Griffin has worked with runners at all levels, as a coach and an official. In 1964, Griffin coached his first Olympic games in Tokyo, Japan. He then went onto to coach in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, and the 1984 games in Los Angeles. The founder of the Frederick Track and Field Club, Griffin helped bring National Championship meets to Frederick, including the 1970 World Cross Country Championship and the 1972 Olympic Trials. He also started the Western Maryland Track Officials Association, which started with 27 officials in 1985 and reached 112 in the 1990s.