VMI Men’s Cross Country Places First, Women’s Team Places Third at JMU Invitational

Led by Ben Hagerich ’26 and Jillian Sisk ’27, the VMI men’s and women’s cross country teams impressed at the JMU Invitational, earning a men’s team win and a women’s third-place finish at the New Market Battlefield in New Market, Virginia, Sept. 26, 2025.

Zack Scott ’89, VMI Director of Track and Field/Cross Country:

“I am very pleased with the performances of both the men’s and women’s teams. On a tough course with rolling hills, they competed hard and executed Coach Skiles’ race plan effectively, resulting in a successful meet. This gives our team great momentum heading into our next challenge in 3 weeks at Panorama Farms, hosted by UVA, which is a much faster course and the site of this year’s NCAA Regional Championship. We’re looking forward to facing a larger, deeper, and more competitive field there.”

Men’s Team

Hagerich led the VMI men’s cross country team to its first team victory of the season at the JMU Invitational by placing first overall for his second individual victory of the season.

Complete Results

The Keydets won the meet with a first-place finish of 23 points, beating out Mary Washington’s 32 points for the team crown. Mount St. Mary’s came in third with 77 points, followed by Eastern Mennonite with 125. Randolph College placed fifth with 134 team points.

Hagerich ran an 8K time of 26:36.1 for the individual title just ahead of second-place VMI teammate Patrick Lowry ’27, who crossed the line in second in 27:15. Nicholas Russo ’29 came in third place overall in 27:44, followed by Timothy Renquist ’29 in seventh place in 27:58.

Colin Crenshaw ’27 also scored points for the team by placing 10th overall in 28:27. Cameron Lambert ’29 came in 15th place overall in 28:59, ahead of teammate Peter Fiorillo ’28, who arrived in 24th place in 29:34.

Tony Skiles, VMI Head Cross Country Coach:

“Ben led the men’s team to their first victory of the year as he won his second meet in a row. The men came in with a game plan, and they executed it perfectly.”

Men’s 8K – VMI Runners

1st – Benjamin Hagerich ’26 – 26:36.1

2nd – Patrick Lowry ’27 – 27:15.6

3rd – Nicholas Russo ’29 – 27:44.1

7th – Timothy Renquist ’29 – 27:58.2

10th – Colin Crenshaw ’27 – 28:27.7

15th – Cameron Lambert ’29 – 28:59.3

24th – Peter Fiorillo ’28 – 29:34.4

Team Scores

1. VMI – 23
2. Mary Washington – 32
3. Mount St. Mary’s – 77
4. Eastern Mennonite – 125
5. Randolph – 134

Women’s Team

Sisk paced the VMI women’s cross country team to a third-place finish at the JMU Invitational.

Complete Results

The Keydets came in third with 70 team points behind only host James Madison (29) and Mount St. Mary’s (48). VMI defeated Mary Washington (102), Eastern Mennonite (144), Randolph (172), and Sweet Briar (181).

Sisk placed third overall in the race with a 5K time of 19:23, just ahead of teammate Reagan Gilman ’28, who placed fourth, 1 second behind in 19:24. Samantha Layton ’28 came in 18th overall in 21:08 before teammate Zoffia Gonzalez ’28 crossed the line in 20th place in 21:11.

Natalia Dias ’28 also competed for VMI and finished 39th overall in 23:20 to provide points for the Keydets.

Tony Skiles, VMI Head Cross Country Coach:

“The plan was to close the gap between Jillian and Reagan and Samantha and Zoffia, and they did exactly that.”

Women’s 5K – VMI Runners

3rd – Jillian Sisk ’27 – 19:23.0

4th – Reagan Gilman ’28 – 19:24.3

18th – Samantha Layton ’28 – 21:08.7

20th – Zoffia Gonzalez ’28 – 21:11.3

39th – Natalia Dias ’28 – 23:20.4

Team Scores

1. JMU – 29
2. Mount St. Mary’s – 48
3. VMI – 70
4. Mary Washington – 102
5. Eastern Mennonite – 144
6. Randolph – 172
7. Sweet Briar – 181

Editor’s Note: This article was first published on vmikeydets.com.