Track and Field Programs Announce 2010-11 Schedule

Women's Cross Country VMIKeydets.com

Women's Track and Field/XC Announces 2010-11 Recruiting Class

LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI women's track and field and cross country has announced its 2010-11 recruiting class, according to information released by the program Friday.

The class of eight is headlined by four individuals, including pole vaulter Nicole Harding and thrower Mary Grace Lemon. Harding's personal best of 11'3” has led her to a litany of elite finishes, including a 2010 state title in the indoor version of her event. She also captured district and region titles in both the indoor and outdoor disciplines, and was the runner-up at the 2009 state meet. During high school, Harding frequently trained with current Keydet Kate Collins, the VMI record holder in both pole vault disciplines.

Lemon currently sits as the #1-ranked discus thrower in the state, with a best of 132'0”. She is a two-time district, region and state finalist in the shot and discus, and also was recognized in the state in both volleyball and basketball. Lemon has been a member of the junior ROTC, and is seeking a commission in the US Marine Corps. Her grandfather, Jim Lemon, is a member of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, thanks to his career in Major League Baseball with the Washington Senators and Minnesota Twins.

“I look for all eight signees to come in and have an immediate impact on our program,” said VMI's Director of Track and Field and Cross Country, Darrin Webb. “Having Mary Grace Lemon, the top discus thrower in the state, and one of Virginia's top pole vaulters, Nicole Harding, will make both of these areas much improved. Look for Molly Western to come in and contribute in the relays and middle distance, joining the five distance runners, two of which have been three-time All-State honorees.  Our cross country team, which finished second in the Big South this past fall, will be much improved as well.  In terms of overall quality and depth, this is one of our best classes in program history.”
 
On the distance side, Tammy Cheung and Hannah Best will be new VMI cadets in the fall. Cheung is a three-time All-State honoree, with a personal best of 18:59 in the 5K, while Best holds a PR of 18:38 in the same distance. Best, who comes to VMI from Louisa County, is a three-time All-State recipient as well, and has also earned All-Region honors nine times over the three disciplines of track and field.

In addition to those four, the Keydets will add two-time VIC Cross Country state champion Dalton Kuhar to the mix. Kuhar, who won the Virginia crown in both 2008 and 2009, holds a 5K PR of 19:56. Also joining the team will be Nicole Augins, Rebecca Sweeney and the aforementioned Western. Full capsules on each signee are located in the document linked above.
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Players Mentioned

Kate Collins

Kate Collins

Pole Vault
5' 7"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kate Collins

Kate Collins

5' 7"
Freshman
Pole Vault