Cross country makes strides leading up to A-10 championships

Ryan Grube, Staff Writer

When cross country began the 2019 season, the team set out with one goal: to finish better in the conference than both squads did a year ago.

In 2018, the women’s team finished 11th at the Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championships, while the men finished 12th out of the 14 teams that competed.

So far in their 2019 campaign, the Rams have made significant strides toward fulfilling their collective ambition.

Even though he says there is room for improvement, senior cross country runner Bryce Catlett says he likes where the team is headed as it approaches this year’s conference championships.

“I think we continue to move in the right direction,” Catlett said. “We’re probably still not where we want to be as a team, but we still have a few more weeks until conference and regionals to work that out.”

VCU’s most recent meet at the Lehigh Paul Short Run — in which Catlett finished fourth out of 394 runners — delivered the most encouraging results, as the Rams had multiple runners from both sides emerge with personal record times. Sophomore Hisham Vohra and senior Ashley Brown were among those who set personal record times. Vohra set a personal-best 25:11.9 in the 8k and Brown set a personal-best 22:50.5 in the 6k 

In the two prior meets, every Rams scoring finisher ended in the top 50. 

Director of cross country Nicole Cook said she’s pleased with the last meet’s results, given how far her teams have come from their first race of 2019 at Pole Green.

“I think last meet was a very good meet for us because I think everybody could see the hard work that they’ve been putting in, and it actually is translating,” Cook said. “I think a lot of them probably ran faster than they typically have at this point of the year, so I think that’s a good sign.”

Cook said confidence has been key for the Rams. By grouping together in meets, both teams have been able to push one another throughout the races.

It’s a strategy Catlett says develops every day during early morning workouts.

“You just gotta continue to motivate one another, and use that to push off and support each other — whether it’s in the workouts or in the races,” Catlett said. “Just knowing that you have teammates to fall back on, and they’re there to support you.”

Teamwork has been essential for VCU on its quest for an improved 2019 campaign. With freshmen and sophomores on both sides, the Rams haven’t let youth deter their focus. Cook said everybody is hurting the same during their respective races, regardless of class.

“Just continue to build each year, and they’re going to see the progress that they want to see,” Cook said. “I think a lot of my guys are developmental, so they may start on a good level, but they end up getting on better levels once they continue to push and continue to do the things they’re supposed to do to get better.”

Along with Cook’s encouragement, Catlett noted his veteran leadership will play a role in the team’s success. He said the bunch has to remain locked in on the future, and they can’t dwell on past poor performances.

Next up for the Rams is the Pirate Invitational at Eastern Carolina University on Friday.