gretal shank - socon race
Brian McWalters | RoadWin Photos

Women's Cross Country

Women’s Cross Country finishes strong at SoCon Championship

GREENVILLE, S.C. - The Virginia Military Institute women's cross-country team showcased impressive depth and resilience at the Southern Conference Championships, highlighted by personal bests and strong pacing throughout the race.
 
Complete Results
VMI Individual Results - SnapTiming
 
The Keydets placed eighth overall in the race with 231 points. Nationally ranked host Furman kept the team trophy at home with 19 points followed by Samford in second with 50 points. Chattanooga placed third overall with 81 points.
 
Gretal Shank led the squad with a standout performance, setting a lifetime best of 18:43.7—20 seconds faster than her previous record. Competing in her final Southern Conference cross country championship, Shank demonstrated impressive growth and competitive spirit. Additionally, Hayden Talbott and Natalia Dias each ran the fastest 5K of their careers, improving by 22 seconds. Talbott finished in 21:54.7, while Dias came in at 21:17.2, further bolstering VMI's scoring depth.
 
As the third Keydet to cross the finish line, freshman Reagan Gilman earned a strong performance of 19:02.3 to garner SoCon All-Freshman Team honors.
 
The team managed to tighten the gap between its number one and number five runners to just over two minutes, which boosted their overall score beyond expectations as they gained ground with each lap.
 
Team Results:  
With solid individual and team achievements, the VMI women's cross country team has demonstrated its competitive potential, promising further success as they continue their season.
 
Up Next
Select team members will compete at the NCAA Southeast Regional slated for Friday, November 15, hosted by Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
 
 
VMI Women
34th - Jillian Sisk - 18:38.0
36th - Gretal Shank - 18:43.7
45th - Reagan Gilman - 19:02.3 – SoCon All-Freshman Team
69th - Nathalie Lavender - 20:27.4
76th - Samantha Layton - 20:50.6
79th - Natalia Dias - 21:17.2
82nd - Hayden Talbott - 21:54.7
83rd - Caroline Fiorillo - 22:52.4
 
 
Women's Results    
Team                           Points    
1. Furman          -           19 
2. Samford         -           50 
3. Chattanooga    -         81 
4. ETSU - 130 
5. Mercer         -               97 
6. Western Carolina -  202                 
7. UNCG          - 202 
8. VMI     -  231 
9. Wofford        -                243  
10. The Citadel      -       289 
 
 
2024 Southern Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year  
Carly Wilkes, Furman   
 
Freshman of the Year    
Felicity Hamilton, Samford 
 
Coach of the Year    
Rita Gary, Furman 
 
Pinnacle Award    
Jenna Mulhern, Furman 
 
All-SoCon First Team    
Carly Wilkes, Furman 
Kaylie Armitage, Furman 
Jenna Mulhern, Furman 
Lesley Boyd, Chattanooga 
Sierra Bower, Furman 
Adeline Haisch, Samford 
Sikenesh Parker, Samford 
 
All-SoCon Second Team    
Megan  Marvin, Furman 
Maddie Wheatcroft, Chattanooga 
Edie Smith, Samford 
Nicole Matysik, Furman 
Katie Keller, Samford 
Emma Jones, Furman 
Madelyn Cadeau, Furman 
 
All-Freshman Team    
Felicity Hamilton, Samford 
Deena Ludtke, ETSU 
Paula Sandoval, Mercer 
Reagan Cooke, Mercer 
Ellie von Herrmann, Chattanooga 
Reagan Gilman, VMI 
Claire Bauer, Mercer 






 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Caroline Fiorillo

Caroline Fiorillo

Senior
Nathalie Lavender

Nathalie Lavender

Junior
Gretal Shank

Gretal Shank

Senior
Jillian Sisk

Jillian Sisk

Sophomore
Hayden Talbott

Hayden Talbott

Sophomore
Reagan Gilman

Reagan Gilman

Freshman
Natalia Dias

Natalia Dias

Freshman
Samantha Layton

Samantha Layton

Freshman

Players Mentioned

Caroline Fiorillo

Caroline Fiorillo

Senior
Nathalie Lavender

Nathalie Lavender

Junior
Gretal Shank

Gretal Shank

Senior
Jillian Sisk

Jillian Sisk

Sophomore
Hayden Talbott

Hayden Talbott

Sophomore
Reagan Gilman

Reagan Gilman

Freshman
Natalia Dias

Natalia Dias

Freshman
Samantha Layton

Samantha Layton

Freshman