KERNERSVILLE, N.C. - The VMI women's cross country team posted five personal best times among its seven runners Saturday, en route to an eighth-place finish at this year's Southern Conference Cross Country Championships, contested at Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville, N.C.

Hannah Dickinson led the way for the Keydets with a 28th-place finish, crossing the line in 18:27.98, more than 30 seconds under her personal best set on this course just over a month prior.

In the team standings, the Keydets finished eighth overall, amassing 208 points. VMI bested The Citadel (239) and Wofford (247), while placing one spot behind a tie for sixth between Mercer and Western Carolina, who each finished with 175 markers. Furman and overall champion Allie Buchalski won the team title with 22 points, pacing Chattanooga (71), Samford (90), East Tennessee State (104) and UNCG (161) in the top five.

VMI's other finishers on the cool, crisp day included Kelly Russell, who set a new personal best with a 19:03.61 effort over the 5K course to finish 42nd. Michelle Church was just one spot behind in 43rd, crossing the stripe in 19:12.73, while Bethany King finished 46th in 19:15.14. Kennedy Flynn (19:34.17/57th), Mia Castelveter (19:36.65/59th) and Christina Hill (20.47.99/75th) completed the Keydet results and each set new personal bests in the process.

“I'm very proud of the job Coach Fazioli and both her teams did today,” said VMI Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Darrin Webb. “We saw numerous personal bests, a gritty effort from Patrick Spahn and an all-SoCon performance from Avery Martin. All in all, it was a good day and a quality return to SoCon Championship competition.”

For audio interviews with Church and head coach Jen Fazioli, please click on the appropriate links to the left of this article.

Team Scores – Women
1. Furman 22
2. Chattanooga 71
3. Samford 90
4. ETSU 104
5. UNCG 161
T6. Mercer 175
T6. Western Carolina 175
8. VMI 208
9. The Citadel 239
10. Wofford 247

Team Scores – Men
1. Furman 15
2. ETSU 71
3. VMI 92
4. Samford 108
5. Chattanooga 148
6. Western Carolina 156
7. UNCG 196
8. Mercer 212
9. Wofford 234
10. The Citadel 283

All-SoCon First Team – Women
1. Allie Buchalski - Furman
2. Sinead Haughey - Furman
3. Katie Hirko - ETSU
4. Julia Rodriguez - Furman
5. Amanda Cotter - Chattanooga
6. Kami Orrender - Mercer
7. Emma Mashburn - Furman

All-SoCon First Team – Men
1. Tripp Hurt - Furman
2. Troy Reeder - Furman
3. Aaron Templeton - Furman
4. Tanner Hinkle - Furman
5. Brock Baker - Furman
6. Frank Lara - Furman
7. Austin Sprague - Furman

All-SoCon Second Team – Women
8. Grace Tinkey - Furman
9. Laura Miller - Furman
10. Rebecca Greenwell - Chattanooga
11. Eira Jensen - UNCG
12. Karisa Nelson - Samford
13. Katlyn Ayers - UNCG
14. Rachel Wooten - Samford

All-SoCon Second Team – Men
8. William Ivey - Furman
9. Mark Hadley - Furman
10. Avery Martin - VMI
11. Simeon Roberts - ETSU
12. Travis Alfaro – Western Carolina
13. Arse'ne Guillorel - Samford
14. Sean Duffy - ETSU

All-SoCon Freshman Team – Women
3. Aaron Templeton - Furman
6. Frank Lara - Furman
7. Austin Sprague - Furman
9. Mark Hadley - Furman
13. Arse'ne Guillorel - Samford
33. Geoffrey Korir - UNCG
35. Tyler Richards - VMI

All-SoCon Freshman Team – Men
7. Emma Mashburn - Furman
12. Karisa Nelson - Furman
15. Macy Carrier - Furman
16. Emily Drouin - Chattanooga
22. Megan Roach - Samford
24. Emma Garner - Samford
25. Maddison Melchionna - Chattanooga

Coach of the Year – Women
Robert Gary - Furman

Coach of the Year – Men
Robert Gary - Furman

Runner of the Year – Women
Allie Buchalski - Furman

Runner of the Year – Men
Tripp Hurt - Furman

Freshman of the Year – Women
Emma Mashburn - Furman

Freshman of the Year – Men
Aaron Templeton - Furman