BOONE, N.C. - Jay Broom recorded a top-15 finish, helping the VMI men's cross country team to a fifth-place team result at the Covered Bridge Open, contested Friday in Boone, N.C.

Broom led the way for the Keydets, finishing at #1 for the first time in his career with a 20:42.93 effort over the 6,400-meter distance. He placed 15th overall, 10 spots ahead of Brandon White's 20:55.32 effort and 17 ahead of freshman Ryan Drew, who timed in at 21:16.29 to finish 32nd.

The rest of VMI's top five was Micah Ellington (21:35.75/47th) and Justin Adams (21:39.52/52nd), while Luke Phillips (21:45.71/55th), Kyle Sabourin (21:54.62/58th) and Tripp Fitch (21:59.74/62nd) rounded out the Keydet results.

All told, the Keydets finished fifth overall with 153 points. The Florida Gators won the meet, edging Florida State 46-52. The host Appalachian State finished third (54) and ETSU was fourth (92). Among the five schools that finished below VMI, East Carolina was seventh with 189 markers.

"Jay and Brandon showed solid leadership for us, running a strong 1-2 today," said VMI head cross country coach Dr. Drew Ludtke. "Ryan Drew ran a solid position #3 for us. I felt he ran well in his first collegiate meet. We are looking forward to JMU next week, and I am very confident we will have another great season."

VMI cross country will return to action Sept. 10, when VMI takes part in the JMU Open in New Market, Va. Action gets underway at 10 a.m.