HCC men's cross country finishes third at nationals

The Howard Community College Cross Country team traveled to Finger Lakes Community College in Hopewell, N.Y. on Nov. 8 to compete in the NJCAA D-III Championships.

The men's team finished in third-place, a program best, on the heels of a third-place finish from Atholton grad Gary Smolyak (27 minutes, 48 seconds).

He was followed by Jacob Staley (14th, 29:23), Brooks Ward (25th, 29:56), Connor Livingston (49th, 31:03), River Hill grad Dominic Mandile (51st, 31:07), Jacob Stolzenbach (56th, 31:31), and Marriotts Ridge grad Gulraize Khan (82nd, 33:05).

The women's team finished in 13th place, and was led by Howard grad Caroline Handen (10th, 21:23).

She was followed by Oakland Mills grad Mackenzie Snyder (57th, 24:27), Gabrielle Petty (64th, 25:20), Atholton grad Hannah LeFors (68th, 25:46), and Marriotts Ridge grad Mary Hurd (87th, 29:13).

Smolyak was named a first-team All-American, Staley was named a third-team All-American and Haden was named a second-team All-American.