The VMI men’s cross country team finished seventh in the Spider Alumni Open hosted by the University of Richmond at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, Virginia, Sept. 5, 2026.—Photo courtesy VMI Athletics.
The VMI men’s and women’s cross country teams began the 2026 season at the Spider Alumni Open hosted by the University of Richmond at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, Virginia, Sept. 5, 2026. The men’s team placed seventh overall, and the women’s team placed eighth.
William & Mary placed first overall with 33 points to edge Georgetown’s 34 points. Norfolk State (65), American (93), and Richmond (144) rounded out the top five finishers.
The Keydets were paced by Cameron Lambert ’29, who placed 53rd overall with a 6K time of 20:26.4 and was followed closely by Zachary Schubert ’30 with a time of 20:35 for 56th place.
William Byrnes ’30 came in 57th place in 20:40 ahead of Timothy Renquist ’29 with a time of 21:30 for 78th place. Camden Gonzales ’28 rounded out the scoring for VMI by arriving in 79th place overall in 21:36.
Peter Fiorillo ’28 also competed and finished with a time of 23:33.
William & Mary – 33
Georgetown – 34
Norfolk State – 65
American – 93
Richmond – 144
VCU – 204
VMI – 251
Christopher Newport – 256
Catholic – 266
Mary Washington – 287
Hampton – 309
Virginia Union – 347
Hampden-Sydney – 372
Virginia State
53rd – Cameron Lambert – 20:26.4
56th – Zachary Schubert – 20:35.8
57th – William Byrnes – 20:40.7
78th – Timothy Renquist – 21:30.3
79th – Camden Gonzales – 21:36.2
121st – Peter Fiorillo – 23:33.9
William & Mary finished first with 56 points, followed by Georgetown in second with 71. Host Richmond took third with 73 points while JMU (108) and American (122) rounded out the top five schools at the race.
VMI finished eighth overall with 197 points.
Reagan Gilman ’28 led the Keydets by placing 15th overall with a 4K time of 14:56, just ahead of Jillian Sisk ’27 with a time of 14:59 for 18th place.
Caroline Swinson ’30 came in 69th place in her debut in 16:25, while Samantha Layton ’28 arrived in 75th place in 16:30. Lukah Sandine ’30 also scored team points for the Keydets in 79th place in 16:49.
The VMI women’s cross country team placed eighth in the Spider Alumni Open.—Photo courtesy VMI Athletics.
Abigail Mox ’30, Evelyn Anderson ’27, and Natalia Dias ’28 also competed for VMI.
William & Mary – 56
Georgetown – 71
Richmond – 73
JMU – 108
American – 122
Christopher Newport – 173
Hampton – 196
VMI – 197
VCU – 239
Mary Washington – 330
Virginia Union – 334
Norfolk State – 341
Catholic – 359
Marymount – 387
Virginia State – 444
Richard Bland – 487
15th – Reagan Gilman – 14:56.8
18th – Jillian Sisk – 14:59.6
69th – Caroline Swinson – 16:25.1
75th – Samantha Layton – 16:30.7
79th – Lukah Sandine – 16:49.5
95th – Abigail Mox – 17:38.3
113th – Evelyn Anderson – 18:39.0
127th – Natalia Dias – 20:14.4
“It was great to see the team get out on the course and compete. I’m also pleased with the job Reagan and Cameron both did on leading their groups to respective finishes. I love the direction Coach Gaillet has the cross country group going and excited for our next race.”
“Today for the team was all about getting a baseline. I wanted to see how the athletes could go out there and work as a team. We had a lot of strong performances, and as a new coach, it was very encouraging to see what lies ahead. I’m extremely proud of the efforts today—this is just the beginning for the team. I can’t wait to see where we continue to go!”
Editor's Note: Story courtesy VMI Athletics.
