Elizabeth Morris ’23 at the 47th Annual Paul Short Run hosted by Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Oct. 1, 2021.— Brian McWalters/ RoadWin Photo courtesy VMI Keydets.
Competing in one of the biggest races in the country, the VMI cross-country teams showed well at the 47th Annual Paul Short Run, hosted by Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Oct. 1, 2021.
Competing against more than 120 schools, the Keydet men placed 33rd overall in the Men’s College Gold 8K race with 961 team points. The VMI women’s team placed 36th overall with 904 team points.
Gavin Jenkins ’22 led the team by placing 92nd overall (87 points) out of 350 runners with a personal-best 8K time of 24:43.80. Andre Jordan ’22 arrived in 222nd (198) in 25:36.40 just before Trent Whittaker ’23 crossed the finish line in 238th (212) in 25:42. Zach Diller ’23 (254th, 225, 25:49.50) and David Fiorillo ’23 (274th, 239, 25:58.20) also scored points for the Keydets.
Brian Tavenner ’25 broke into the top six finishers with a personal-best time of 27:01.80, beating his former time by over one minute. Ian Irizarry-Negron ’22 was the seventh VMI finisher in 346th overall (276) with a time of 27:22.40. Cade Compton ’23 and Zach Lauster ’24 also ran at the race.
“Our teams represented the heart of the Corps of Cadets,” said Zach Scott, VMI interim director of track and field and cross-country. “I have been proud to have the opportunity to help the cross-country teams continue to improve each race.”
Gretal Shank ’25 led the women’s team. She arrived in 101st overall for 94 points for the Keydets and finished in 23:03.40. Rachael Dickenson ’22 placed 207th (188) in 24:05 a little before Emily Wells ’23 arrived in 222nd (197) in 24:18.90.
Melanie Jimenez ’25 placed 233rd overall (206) in 24:26.90, just ahead of Naomi Hahn’s [’24] time of 24:46.60 for 219 team points. Elizabeth Morris ’23 also ran the race in 27:11.80 as the sixth VMI finisher.
The Keydets return to action Friday, Oct. 15, at the VertCross Invitational hosted by High Point University in High Point, North Carolina.
“The men will upgrade their training and compete at the Vertcross at High Point in two weeks to prepare themselves for the Southern Conference Championship hosted by VMI at the Lexington Golf & Country Club Saturday, Oct. 30,” Scott said.
Men’s College Gold 8K Race
VMI – 33rd overall – 961 points (87-198-212-225-239(271)(276))
Gavin Jenkins– 92nd – 87 points – 24:43.80 – personal best time
Andre Jordan– 222nd – 198 points – 25:36.40
Trent Whittaker– 238th – 212 points – 25:42.60
Zach Diller – 254th – 225 points – 25:49.50
David Fiorillo– 274th – 239 points – 25:58.20
(Brian Tavenner – 336th – 271 points – 27:01.80)
(Ian Irizarry-Negron – 346th – 276 points – 27:22.40)
Cade Compton – 347th – xxx – 27:24.70
Zach Lauster– 351st – xxx – 27:49.40
Women’s College Brown 6K Race
VMI – 36th overall – 904 points (94-188-197-206-219(257))
Gretal Shank – 101st – 94 points – 23:03.40
Rachael Dickenson – 207th – 188 points – 24:05.20
Emily Wells – 222nd – 197 points – 24:18.90
Melanie Jimenez – 233rd – 206 points – 24:26.90
Naomi Hahn – 256th – 219 points – 24:46.60
(Elizabeth Morris – 326th – 257 points – 27:11.80)
See the complete results here.
Editor’s Note: This article was published first at vmikeydets.com.
