EARLYSVILLE, Va. – Patrick Spahn posted a top-100 finish to lead the VMI men's cross country team in its season finale, the Southeast Regional Championships, an event contested Friday at the Panorama Farms course in Earlysville, Va. It was the first time in his career that Spahn had led VMI at an event, and he did so by finishing 96th on the 10K course in 31:19. Of particular note was Spahn's moving up 28 places from the 5K split to the 8K split. 

Sean Helmke, fresh off All-Big South honors, was VMI's #2 runner, placing 101st in 31:25, while Cabell Willis wrapped up his cross country career in 31:37, placing 115th. Luke Phillips was 128th in 31:56, while Will Thompson (133rd/31:59), Brandon White (156th/32:29) and Jacob Lysher (189th/33:15) rounded out the VMI lineup. As a team, the Keydets finished 22nd overall at an event won by Eastern Kentucky.

"I thought our top five especially ran very well," said cross country coach Jennifer Fazioli. "We finished virtually equal with Campbell, so things broke down about as they did at conference. The course is tough, but it ran fast today. We didn't quite get to our goal today, but our mentality was in the right place and we had a strong effort to close out the season."

The Keydet runners return to action Dec. 7 for the indoor track and field opener, set for the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C.