LEXINGTON, Va. - VMI cross country has announced its 2014 schedule, according to information released by the program Friday. The six-meet slate includes trips to Virginia's Panorama Farms, Western Carolina and George Mason's annual meet in Leesburg. 

"This schedule will be a challenging one for a young team, but with a move to a new conference I decided it was best to step right into the fire," said VMI head coach Jennifer Fazioli. "I feel confident that the athletes we have will meet that challenge head-on, and their preparation and training over the summer will set them up for some strong performances."

The Keydet year gets underway August 29 in Boone, N.C., at the Appalachian State season opener. It is the second straight year the Keydets will open in Boone.

The teams then head to New Market, Va. for the JMU Open. VMI competed at that event in 2012 and saw its men dominate, winning handily, while the women finished second. Michelle Church and Kelsey Newcomb both finished in the top-20, while then-sophomore Hannah Dickinson was 25th. Six VMI men, meanwhile, finished in the top 10 in the 8K, including Hartnel Paultre and Sean Helmke. 

Cross country then travels to UVA's Panorama Farms for a meet on Sept. 26. It will be VMI's first regular season trip to the site, the frequent home of the NCAA Regional Championships, since 2003.

The year continues on Oct. 4 with a visit to George Mason and a meet at the Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg. Finally, the regular season ends with a trip to Cullowhee, N.C. and the Western Carolina Catamount Classic. This will be the first year since 2008 that WCU will host a non-season opening meet. 

The 2014 Southern Conference Cross Country Championships will be hosted by UNC Greensboro in Kernersville, N.C. on Oct. 31.