The VMI men's cross country team is gearing up for the NCAA Southeast Regional after a successful performance at the SoCon Championship. Scheduled for Friday at Winthrop Farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the men will compete in the 10K race following a women's 6K. Building on strong individual showings and teamwork, VMI aims to challenge elite regional competitors. Kevin Shank, who finished 10th at the SoCon with a time of 25:05.9, along with teammates Jackson Geisendaffer and Patrick Kiernan, are expected to lead the way.

By the Numbers
  • Kevin Shank finished 10th at the SoCon Championship with a time of 25:05.9.
  • Jackson Geisendaffer achieved a personal best of 26:48.50, improving by 29 seconds.
  • Patrick Kiernan set a personal best with a time of 26:57.90, cutting 23 seconds from his previous record.
  • The top five VMI runners at SoCon finished within 1.5 minutes of each other.
Yes, But

The competition at the Southeast Regional is expected to be more intense than at the Southern Conference, presenting challenges for VMI's pack running strategy. While their depth and previous performances show promise, they will need to maintain cohesion against more competitive teams.

State of Play
  • VMI's men are coming off a motivated performance at the SoCon Championship.
  • Team cohesion from solid past finishes will be critical in the upcoming regional competition.
  • Key runners have shown personal improvements, highlighting the team's potential.
What's Next

As the team prepares for the Southeast Regional, they will aim to execute a race plan focused on maintaining their pack and improving individual times. Success at this event could pave the way for future opportunities and establish VMI's presence in regional cross country.

Bottom Line

VMI's men's cross country team, bolstered by recent successes and personal bests, is primed to make an impact at the NCAA Southeast Regional. Their ability to run cohesively will be crucial in navigating the unpredictability of regional competition.