Cross country’s Catlett leads Rams

Jessica Wetzler

Contributing Writer


Both VCU cross country teams traveled to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to compete in the Paul Short Invitational last weekend. Only two invitationals into the new season, both teams have been performing strong and efficiently as they settle into the fall campaign.

 

Men

 

Men’s cross country placed 11th out of 18 teams in their first 8,000 meter race of the season at the Paul Short Invitational, while the women came in 12th out of 24 schools for the 6,000 meters.

Leading the way for the men was sophomore Bryce Catlett, who placed fourth out of a field of 132 finishers. Catlett jumped 61 spots from his overall finish a year ago at the Paul Short Run. His 24:51 time was the best he’s recorded in his young collegiate career and was only 10 seconds behind the first place time.

Junior Michael Villagomaz, who finished 70th overall, was VCU’s second runner to complete the race. Covering the 8K in 26:32, Villagomaz trimmed nearly 90 seconds off last year’s time.

Following Villagomaz by 15 seconds was junior Austin Conway, who finished 81st. Freshman James De La Rama completed his first collegiate 8K, placing 85th with a time of 26:53.

Rounding out the Rams’ runners was senior Bismillah Alidost, coming in 110th.

Between the men’s five runners, they averaged a time of 26:34.

Women

On the women’s team, the Rams averaged a time of 23:07 during their 6,000 meter course.

Sophomore Ashley Brown paved the way for the Black and Gold  coming in 39th out of 197 competitors. Brown finished the race with a time of 22:31, beating out 158 other runners.

 

Sophomore Judith White and senior Courtney Holleran ran side-by-side, both crossing the finish line at 22:35.  The pair placed 45th and 46th, respectively.

 

Coming in behind White and Holleran at 23:18 was senior Kathleen Gardner, who secured the 84th overall spot. Gardner was just five seconds off her 2016 Paul Short 6k time.

 

Senior Lindsay Seeley closed it out for the Rams with a time of 24:33, making her the 144th to cover the 6,000-meter course.

 

Next up, the Rams will travel to Newport News, Va. to compete in the CNU Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 14.

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