CONWAY, S.C. – Emily Dinning finished 15th to lead the VMI women's cross country team to a sixth-place finish at Saturday's Big South Cross Country Championships, held in Conway, S.C. Dinning was the top finishing freshman in the race, making her VMI's third straight Big South Freshman of the Year in women's cross country.

Dinning covered the 5K course in at 18:35 to earn her result, while Leah Schubel finished 22nd in 18:49. Jenna Moye, returning from injury after missing over a month, ran a 19:08 to finish 33rd, while Hannah Dickinson (42nd/19:25) and Nina Srikongyos (51st/19:42) rounded out the VMI scoring five.

In the team standings, High Point placed all five of its scoring runners in the top-10 to win its first conference title (33 pts.), while Liberty's 59 points were second. Coastal Carolina (81), Big South newcomer Campbell (91) and Winthrop (146) rounded out the top five. VMI followed with 155 markers, well ahead of Charleston Southern (209), Gardner-Webb (230), UNC Asheville (238) and Radford (250).

“As a team, this was a tough day for the women,” said VMI head coach Paul Spangler. “I did think that Leah Schubel ran a solid race, and Emily Dinning really stepped it up to grab our third straight Freshman of the Year award. That's outstanding for her and the program, and she really worked hard to get there. Sixth place is certainly not what we wanted or expected, but we are a young team and we continue to feel very good about the future.”

Molly Western (63rd/20:27), Michelle Church (63rd/20:47) and Lindsey Carty (74th/21:21) rounded out the VMI competitors. In addition, Moye was named to the All-Academic team following the completion of the race. A complete agate of awards is below.

VMI cross country will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 12, participating in the NCAA Regional Championships in Louisville, Ky.

2011 Runner of the Year (Men)
Zac Edwards, Liberty

2011 Runner of the Year (Women)
Jennifer Klugh, Liberty

2011 Freshman of the Year (Men)
Reese Ayers, High Point

2011 Freshman of the Year (Women)
Emily Dinning, VMI

2011 Big South All-Conference Team (Men)
Zac Edwards, Liberty
Jacob Smith, High Point
Patrick Crawford, High Point
Neal Darmody, High Point
Adam Freudanthal, Winthrop
David Ricksecker, Liberty
Caleb Edmonds, Liberty
Josh MacDonald, Liberty
Noah Hagos, VMI
Morgan Timiney, Campbell

2011 All–Conference Team (Women)
Jennifer Klugh, Liberty
Jeanne Stroud, Winthrop
Kayleigh Perry, High Point
Christian Johnson, Coastal Carolina
Audrey Malloy, High Point
Khristina Kanagy, Liberty
Kelsey Hunt, High Point
Kelsey Paine, High Point
Rachel Deline, Campbell
Kelsey Fraser, High Point

2011 Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Men)
Neal Darmody, High Point

2011 Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Women)
Kelsey Fraser, High Point

2011 Cross Country All-Academic Team (Women)
Kelsey Fraser, High Point
Jenna Moye, VMI
Jennifer Klugh, Liberty
Jeanne Stroud, Winthrop
Heidi Dean, Charleston Southern
Ashley Matthews, Campbell
Janel Reeves, Coastal Carolina
Ellie Glunk, Gardner-Webb
Kylie Smith, UNC Asheville
Stephanie Newell, Presbyterian College
Hannah Scheren, Radford

2011 Cross Country All-Academic Team (Men)
Neal Darmody, High Point
Hayden Hodges, VMI
Caleb Edmonds, Liberty
Mick McClay, Gardner-Webb
Matt Smith, Charleston Southern
Chris Schulist, Campbell
Cameron Wells, Coastal Carolina
Brian Trail, Presbyterian College
Adam Freudenthal, Winthrop

Coach of the Year (Men)
Brant Tolsma, Liberty

Coach of the Year (Women)
Mike Esposito, High Point