Cross country concludes season with Catlett on top

Cross country finished their season at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships in Charlottesville. VCU fielded a mere four runners, making the team ineligible for team scoring, but as a squad the women averaged 22:24.3 and the men averaged 33:17.2

Sophomore Judith White led the way for the women for the second time in three meets. White finished the 6,000-meter race in 22:45.1 placing 121st out of a field of 257 runners.

Sophomore Ashley Brown was the second Ram to cross the finish line with a time of 23:06.9 good for 150th. Senior Courtney Holleran followed Brown four seconds later, finishing with her fastest time this season at 23:10.7. Holleran placed 153rd.

Senior Kathleen Gardner finished it out for the Rams with a time of 24:34.5 placing 214th.

The men competed in the 10,000 meter race with sophomore Bryce Catlett finishing as VCU’s top runner for the sixth time this season. Catlett crossed the line at 30:38.5, placing 52nd out of a field of 230 runners. Catlett’s finish was 64 spots higher than his finish a year ago.

Freshman James de la Rama was the second Ram to cross the finish line with a time of 33:51.1.

Senior Bismillah Alidost and junior Michael Villagomez placed 201st and 212th respectively.

Women’s cross country will graduate Gardner, Holleran and senior Lindsay Seeley this year, while the men will say goodbye to Alidost and fellow senior Andrae McGowan.

Alidost departs VCU after a decorated career for the Black and Gold, boasting personal career best times of 21:11.8 and 27:07.0 in the 6K and 8K, respectively.

Gardner and Holleran likewise contributed successful careers for Ram Nation. Gardner graduates with personal bests of 19:30.7 and 22:58.0 in the 5K and 6K respectively, while Holleran moves on with top marks of 19:07.7 and 23:37.0 in the same competitions.

Jessica Wetzler, Contributing Writer