WESTMINSTER, Md.--The Hood College women's cross country team traveled to McDaniel College to participate in the Green Terror Long-Short Challenge Saturday, a contest between nine schools and a number of unattached runners featuring races held over 5,000 and 3,000 meters.

The top finisher on the day for the Blazers was senior Jessica Stanley who was the ninth college runner (11th overall) at 5,000 meters. She was joined in earning medalist honors on the long course by Maria Moss (14th college finisher), as the top 15 college runners received recognition.

“Jess is just strong,” observed head coach Brent Ayer. “She is really more of a long sprinter, middle distance runner. If she can avoid the injuries that dogged her early in the track season, this could be the precursor of a great final track effort. It was nice to see Maria earn her second college award as well.”

Rounding out the scoring for the Blazers were Joanna LaBoue (18th team finisher) and Emily Brownlee (26th team finisher). Sam Smith recorded a 34th place team finish, as Hood finished fourth.

In the women’s short course race, Chloe Ey and Kristina Coggins participated in their first college races, finishing 22nd and 24th , respectively.

The events were held in a steady drizzle on the hilly course.

Hood next travels to York, Pa., for the York College Invitational held at John Ruddy County Park at 10:30 a.m.

TOWSON, Md.--The Hood College women's cross country team sent four representatives to the Baltimore Metro Meet Friday hosted by Towson University at Oregon Ridge Park.

Senior Jess Stanley was Hood's top finisher, coming in 43rd of 90 competitors with a time of 22:22.60. Sophomore Joanna LaBoue competed in her first collegiate race and clocked a time of 23:55.95, good for 63rd. Classmate Maria Moss finished just under 14 seconds after LaBoue at 24:09.83 and junior Sam Smith posted a time of 26:20.80.

"Joanna ran her first college race and did well," said head coach Brent Ayer. "There will be some pick up in time and places later in the year as we learn to race more efficiently, but they are off to nice starts. Jess Stanley, who is more of a 400/800 runner, did an excellent job. We sat a number of our newer runners to wait until they have more conditioning."

Johns Hopkins University senior Laura Paulsen set the pace at 18:27.15.

Hood's next meet is slated for Saturday, Sept. 12, at McDaniel College beginning at 9:30 a.m.