
FAIRFAX, Va. – Getting back into competition after three weeks of practice, the VMI cross country teams performed well at the George Mason Invitational Saturday morning in Fairfax, Virginia.
The men raced to a second-place finish with 62 points while the VMI women tied for third in their 6k race with 81 points. Men’s runner Davone Hernandez placed first in the men’s 8k race in 25:48 for his first collegiate individual win.
“Our ladies competed well with three athletes in the top 20 of the race,” said VMI head coach Dr. Drew Ludtke. “I was also happy to have three freshman in the top 5 of the race, running third, fourth and fifth for the team. We have worked very hard to stay healthy this fall, to train smart each day and this healthy process is starting to pay off for both teams.
“Anna Armfield led the team with her eighth place finish, coming from behind in around 20 place at the halfway mark. I was happy with Anna’s race and consistency.”
Armfield finished the 6k race in 23:54 ahead of Logan Luckett’s 16th place finish of 24:37. Sara Belamarich came in third for the Keydets in 19th place (24:58) and was trailed by teammates Emily Hattman (23rd, 25:51) and Savanna Shupe (32nd, 26:32).
Behind Hernandez in the men’s race, Gavin Jenkins placed 13th overall in 27:28 and was trailed by Justin Adams’ 16th place mark of 27:41. Carlos Fernandes (19th, 28:00) and Andre Jordan (21st, 28:05) also scored on the men’s team.
“We had a great pack of men who held back in the early stages of the race. They were able to run very strong on the last 3000 meters of the course, some of them moving up 20 to 30 places during this time period.
“I am very happy with both teams today. We have a good system in place to race well and a system where we learn to make changes each day to continue to improve. We’re all healthy, which has been the goal all along.”
Men’s Team Results
George Mason 24
VMI 62
Mary Washington 81
Howard 108
Longwood 141
Norfolk State 158
Hampton 194
VMI Men’s Individual Results (8k)
Davone Hernandez 1st 25:48.6
Gavin Jenkins 13th 27:28.1
Justin Adams 16th 27:41.0
Carlos Fernandes 19th 28:00.0
Andre Jordan 21st 28:05.4
Walt Kitson 22nd 28:15.2
Ian Irizarry Negron 23rd 28:25.0
Zach Lauster 28th 28:45.6
Kyle Sabourin 32nd 28:59.0
Jake Mazziotta 34th 29:06.9
Kellen Reeves 35th 29:11.6
Dylan Haines 37th 29:16.2
Jack Ryan 40th 29:20.2
Ashton Ashley 43rd 29:39.3
Jeremiah Gaulding 44th 29:42.7
Cole Viavettene 48th 30:13.0
Stephen Wolf 49th 30:16.3
Samuel Estes 52nd 31:15.3
Graham Ohleger 56th 31:41.9
Adam Waite 58th 31:59.6
Aaron Kempf 59th 32:03.8
Women’s Team Scores
George Mason 25
Mary Washington 65
Norfolk State 81
VMI 81
Hampton 134
Longwood 158
VMI Women’s Individual Results
Anna Armfield 8th 23:54.8
Logan Luckett 16th 24:37.1
Sara Belamarich 19th 24:58.1
Emily Hattman 23rd 25:51.8
Savanna Shupe 32nd 26:32.1
Kathleen Yates 34th 26:50.7
Isabela Melendez 39th 27:09.2
Skylar Pierce 47th 28:17.6
Olivia Smoot 52nd 29:11.4
Brittany Szczepanik 54th 31:37.3