ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Looking for a strong start to the 2021 season, the VMI cross country teams accomplished the task with great finishes Friday night at the Navy XC Twilight in Annapolis, Maryland.
 
The VMI women placed fifth overall in a 6k race while the VMI men's team also finished in fifth place in a 4.9 mile race.
 
Freshman Gretal Shank led the women's team by crossing the finish line in 13th out of 51 competitors with a time of 23:56.21.   Sophomore Naomi Hahn (25:09.17) and newcomer Rachael Dickenson (25:22.88) followed pursuit in 28th and 31st, respectively. Also scoring team points were Emily Wells (34th, 25:31.49) and Sara Belamarich (40th, 26:20.94).
 
"I thought we ran hard and competed well," said VMI Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Darrin Webb.  "It is the first race of the season, and they have been training pretty hard. I was pleased, but we also all know we certainly have more work to do. This is a good place to start the season."
 
Melanie Jimenez (48th, 27:35) and Elizabeth Morris (49th, 29:21) were the runner-up finishers for the team while Carolina Fiorillo (50th, 29:55) and Alyssa Ingerson (51st, 30:37) also competed for the women's team.
 
"This was a very good starting point for our women's team and we look forward to being a little better for our next challenge at Winthrop next weekend," said VMI associate head coach Zach Scott.
 
The VMI men's team was led by senior Gavin Jenkins, who placed 16th overall in 25:35.84. Alex Fiorillo (43rd, 27:01) and Trent Whittaker (44th, 27:05) followed suit, while Andre Jordan (48th, 27:29) and Zach Diller (51st, 27:50) also scored team points for the Keydets.

Andrew Hirneisen, Stephen Kelley, Dylan Haines, Dennison Kelly, and Ian Irizarry Negron also competed for the men's team Friday night.
 
"They showed heart racing on a hilly course for their first meet against quality runners," Scott said. "This was a good first step to prepare for another tough conference championship."
 
The Keydets return to action next Saturday, September 18 at the Winthrop Invitational in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
 
VMI Women's Cross Country
Gretal Shank – 13th – 23:56.21
Naomi Hahn – 28th – 25:09.17
Rachael Dickenson – 31st – 25:22.88
Emily Wells – 34th – 25:31.49
Sara Belamarich – 40th – 26:20.94
Melanie Jimenez – 48th – 27:35.61
Elizabeth Morris – 49th – 29:21.61
Caroline Fiorillo – 50th – 29:55.20
Alyssa Ingerson – 51st – 30:37.96
 
VMI Men's Cross Country
Gavin Jenkins – 16th – 25:35.84
Alex Fiorillo – 43rd – 27:01.96
Trent Whittaker – 44th – 27:05.59
Andre Jordan – 48th – 27:29.47
Zach Diller – 51st – 27:50.05
Andrew Hirneisen – 52nd – 27:52.44
Stephen Kelley – 54th – 27:58.66
Dylan Haines – 56th – 28:09.20
Dennison Kelly – 60th – 28:34.11
Ian Irizarry Negron – 61st – 28:36.11