February 17, 2009

In this issue: Men's Basketball | Women's Basketball | Equestrian | Men's Lacrosse | Women's Lacrosse | Men's Swimming | Women's Swimming | Men's Track & Field | Women's Track & Field

Last Week
Feb. 11 Defeated Wesley College 86-83

This Week
Feb. 18 vs. Stevenson University (at Mount St. Mary's University) 8 p.m.
Feb. 21 at Salisbury University 4 p.m.

Freshman Garrett Williams drilled a clutch three-pointer with six seconds left to give Hood a stunning 86-83 victory over the Wesley College Wolverines Wednesday on Senior Night at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School. The Blazers, currently in a three-way tie for sixth place in the CAC standings, kept their playoff hopes alive with the dramatic upset of the previously top-ranked team in the league. Hood won back-to-back games for the first time since November and handed the Wolverines just their second conference loss of the season. J'Air Brady was one of four Blazers in double figures with a team-high 18 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Tyler Snoots came off the bench to net a season-high 14, eclipsing his previous high of 13 which he scored in Hood's last meeting with Wesley. In his final game at TJ, senior Tim Abercrombie netted 10 points and a team-high six assists while fellow senior Jeff Willison (above) grabbed a career-high 14 boards, blocked three shots and chipped in nine points. Hood squares off against Stevenson University Wednesday at Mount St. Mary's University. All fans will be admitted free to this contest. Hood, Stevenson and York College (Pa.) are all tied for sixth place in the league.

Last Week
Feb. 11 Lost to Wesley College 48-78

This Week
Feb. 18 vs. Stevenson University (at Mount St. Mary's University) 6 p.m.
Feb. 21 at Salisbury University 2 p.m.

Hood lost to Capital Athletic Conference foe Wesley College, 78-48, Wednesday evening on Senior Night at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School. Jen Willison led the Blazers with 17 points and almost notched a double-double with nine boards. Senior Jessica Parrish (above) contributed 13 points and four assists and classmate Sara Wastler finished with 11 points and four assists. The Blazers complete their home schedule Wednesday against Stevenson University at Mount St. Mary’s University. All fans will be admitted free to this contest.

Last Week
Feb. 15 at George Washington (with American & Maryland)

This Week
Feb. 21-22 at University of Mary Washington

Every rider on the Hood equestrian team came home with a ribbon Sunday as the Blazers began the spring competitive season at a show hosted by George Washington University at Tulip Pond Farm in Poolesville, Md. Co-captains Emily Bernstein and Nadine Miglio both rode in separate sections of the advanced walk/trot/canter division. Miglio, who did not show during the fall due academic commitments, returned to competition and finished with a second place ribbon. Bernstein finished sixth in her class and as the designated rider for that division gave Hood a team point. Senior Katie Thomas competed in the novice division on the flat earning fourth place in her best performance of the year. This ride gave Hood three more team points. First-year rider Amy Thompson competed in the walk-trot division and finished second giving Hood another five team points. The IHSA spring season continues with two shows Saturday and Sunday.

Last Week
No games scheduled

This Week
Feb. 21 at Virginia Wesleyan College 1 p.m.

Hood begins its fifth season of intercollegiate competition Saturday at Virginia Wesleyan College. The Marlins, who posted a record of 12-6 overall in 2008, defeated the Blazers, 26-7, in Frederick last spring. VWC fell to Hood's CAC rival, the University of Mary Washington, by a 16-8 count in its season opener. The Blazers boast the largest roster in program history which features 13 freshmen, 10 sophomores and three juniors, including Sofiane Lazar (above), Jeff Tarleton and Blake Rust. Curt Foxx, who joined the Hood staff as an assistant coach last season, was promoted to head coach in July 2008.

Last Week
No games scheduled

This Week
Feb. 20 vs. Wesley College 3 p.m.
Feb. 22 vs. No. 3 Salisbury University Noon

The women's lacrosse team begins its second season Friday under the direction of Molly Hesterberg. The Blazers welcome the Wesley College Wolverines to Thomas Athletic Field Friday for their home and CAC opener. Hood's squad is comprised of one senior, six juniors, three sophomore and six freshmen. Junior Sarah Balukoff (above) led the Blazers in scoring last season with 26 goals while classmate Brandy Noel tallied 23 goals. Hood will platoon a pair of freshmen in goal following the graduation of four-year starting keeper Lauren Lieb. Hood also hosts No. 3 Salisbury University, the NCAA Division III national runner-up in 2008, Sunday at noon.

Last Week
Feb. 13-15 at Capital Athletic Conference Championship (Hosted by St. Mary's College (Md.)) 6th place

This Week
Season complete

Senior Matt Haynes lowered three freestyle school records at the 2009 Capital Athletic Conference championships at St. Mary's College. Haynes clocked lifetime bests in the 50 free (22.25), the 100 free (49.14) and the 200 free (1:51.33), helping the Blazers to a sixth-place finish at the conference meet. Freshman Chris Nemecek bested his record in the 100 fly in 55.20 while junior Chris Moreland (above) set the program standard in the 400 individual medley in 4:35.94. The Blazers improved on their seventh-place effort from a year ago and accumulated 154 points to finish 48 points ahead of Gallaudet University.

Last Week
Feb. 13-15 at Capital Athletic Conference Championship (Hosted by St. Mary's College (Md.)) 7th place

This Week
Season complete

Erica Hamor swam in a pair of consolation heats for the Blazers at the three-day Capital Athletic Conference championships at St. Mary's College (Md.). Hamor finished fifth in the consolation final of the 200 breast in a season-best time of 2:44.62 and was second in the consolation heat of the 400 IM with another season-best clocking of 5:08.35. Hood logged many other season-best times, including Ashley Garyn (above) and Melissa Masino in the 500 free and Kara Cruice in the 200 individual medley. Hood was seventh in the team competition with 117 points.

Last Week
Feb. 14 at Dickinson College Invitational 11th place

This Week
Feb. 21 at Susquehanna University Invitational 10 a.m.

Freshman Chris DiGangi (above) raised his record in the pole vault by over two feet, clearing 14'1" to finish third among college performers. The mark also surpassed the qualifying standard for the ECAC championships. Matching DiGangi's third place finish was sophomore Justin Everett, who tacked almost five inches to his outdoor standard by leaping 20'8" in his first competition of the season. Everett returned later in the competition to place seventh in the triple jump adding almost three feet to his indoor best by jumping 40'4". Completing the list of overall records was freshman David Andren's throw of 34' 1.5" in the 16 lb. shot, tacking an inch onto senior Matt Haynes' outdoor record. Sophomore Ola Komolafe lowered his school record best in the 55-meter dash to 6.75 in finishing fifth. Several Hood College athletes achieved personal bests indoors, including T. Komolafe (55 meters & 200 meters), McDuffie (55 meters, 200 meters & 400 meters), Ivan Chavdarov (55 meters & 200 meters), Mike Richter (200 meters) and William Andrews (mile).

Last Week
Feb. 14 at Dickinson College Invitational 15th place

This Week
Feb. 21 at Susquehanna University Invitational 10 a.m.

In its second indoor meet of the season, the Blazers traveled to Dickinson College for the second time in three weeks. Katie Thomas established a new indoor mark in the women's high jump while finishing in a tie for seventh. Hood's 4x200 meter relay team of Mollie Widdowson, Amanda Kwiatkowski, Emma Arneson and Katie Thomas finished eighth. Arneson also set a school indoor best in the long jump. Several Hood College athletes achieved personal bests indoors, including Arneson (55 hurdles), Kwiatkowski (55 hurdles), Widdowson (55 meters & 200 meters), Kelly Keyser (above) (400 meters).