TOWSON, Md.--Steady rain turned the horse paths of Goucher College into a muddy, rocky adventure at the Middle Atlantic Classic on Saturday. The Hood College men finished sixth in the team competition and the women placed ninth.

Danielle Sgro again led the Blazer effort, earning ninth place overall and picking up her fourth medal in five 2006 performances. It also marks her highest individual finish of the year.

The men were led by William Andrews. The freshman from local Walkersville High School covered the treacherous course in 31:20, good for 26th place in the team scoring. Close on his heels was another Walkersville freshman, Blake Rust, who finished 28th.

Rounding out the scoring for Hood were Faraz Shoai (38th), Steve Delaney (40th) and Brendan Greenlees (45th).

"We probably lost 50 places due to spills in the last two miles, some were rather spectacular," said Head Coach Brent Ayer. "Four of our top five fell heavily; however, conditions were the same for all runners so that is not much of an excuse."

The women's scoring was completed by senior captain Rachel Pectol (45th), Jessica Stanley (46th), Katie Thomas (48th), and Julia Blickenstaff (49th).

"Blake did a nice job under tough conditions today," observed Ayer. "He moved up 25 places after the mile. I also was impressed with Jessica Stanley's first effort. She is attempting to rehab some high school injuries. She started cautiously, but moved up well."

Katie Thomas completed an unusual double on Saturday. The sophomore from Thomas Johnson High School completed her stint as the Blazers' fourth scorer then hustled across campus to join the Hood equestrian team in its competition.

The men's and women's cross country teams will have two weeks off before returning home to host the Hood AWCC Challenge and Invitational on Oct. 21. Teams competing with Hood include Southern Virginia University, the University of the District of Columbia, Mary Baldwin College, Villia Julie College and Montgomery College-Rockville. The men's race is slated for 10:30 a.m. followed by the women's race at 11:00 a.m. The awards ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. which will coincide with the Hood College Student-Athlete Appreciation Brunch on the quad.