The VMI women's cross country team is gearing up for the NCAA Southeast Regional in Rock Hill, South Carolina, following a solid performance at the SoCon Championship. The team aims to build on their progress in a 6K race scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, showcasing key runners like Jillian Sisk and Gretal Shank, who have demonstrated notable improvements throughout the season.

By the Numbers
  • Jillian Sisk recorded a top performance at the Southern Conference Championships.
  • Gretal Shank achieved a personal best of 18:43.7, cutting 20 seconds from her previous time.
  • Reagan Gilman finished the race in 19:02.3, with Lavender and Layton clocking times of 20:27.4 and 20:50.6, respectively.
Yes, But

While the team has shown significant improvement, the competition at the regional level is fierce, and maintaining their pack cohesion will be crucial. The gap of just over two minutes between their top and fifth runners may challenge them when racing against stronger teams.

State of Play
  • The team recently reaffirmed their pack strategy, critical for their performance.
  • Confidence is high after personal bests from multiple runners at the conference meet.
What's Next

As the VMI Keydets head into the NCAA Southeast Regional, they will aim to leverage their collective momentum, focusing on sustaining their strong finish times to potentially qualify for further competitions.

Bottom Line

The VMI women's cross country team is at a pivotal point in their season, with personal bests and robust team dynamics setting the stage for a competitive showing at the NCAA Regional. Their focus on maintaining pack strength and building on individual successes is crucial for achieving their goals.