TOWSON, Md.--The Hood College men's and women's cross country teams traveled to Oregon Ridge Park Saturday for the 5,000-meter Baltimore Metro Meet against regional rivals from both Division I and III. The Blazer men placed fourth of seven teams and the women took seventh of eight squads in the team competition.

Competing in his first-ever cross country race, junior Nick Manning was the first Blazer to cross the tape in 17:38, good for 27th place overall. Senior Faraz Shoai (17:44) and sophomore William Andrews (17:52) clocked in just behind Manning in 28th and 29th position, respectively. Senior Steve Delaney (18:42) and sophomore Blair Ames (18:45) finished within three seconds of one another to round out Hood's top five.

Junior Danielle Sgro was the top finisher for the Hood women, coming in 20th at 20:38. Freshman Lauren Smith had a solid finish in her first collegiate race, placing 36th in 21:47. Seniors Sara Stiles (25:06) and April Penn (25:49) and junior Katie Thomas (26:54) all scored for the Blazer women.

Johns Hopkins University boasted five of the six fastest runners in the men's race to claim the team title, while the host Towson University Tigers captured the women's crown, edging the Blue Jays by four points. Hopkins' Patrick Brandon (15:54) and Laura Paulson (18:27) took top honors in the individual competitions.

The men's and women's cross country teams have a week off before traveling to Westminster, Md., for the McDaniel College Green Terror Challenge Sept. 15 at 9:40 a.m.