The VMI cross country teams, fresh off successful runs at the Big South Preview, will be back in action Friday afternoon in Charlotte, N.C. at the Charlotte Invitational. The race will be held at McAlpine Park, the site of the Footlocker Regional Championships. The women's 5K will go off at 4 p.m., with the men's race, an 8K, to follow at 4:30.

The VMI women's team enters on a high, having dominated last weekend's meet by posting six runners in the top nine positions. Hannah Granger's 18:57 winning time led the group, with freshman Tammy Cheung coming home second in her first full collegiate race. Jenna Moye was third for the Keydets, with Rebecca Sweeney also finishing in the top five. Sweeney, Molly Western, Nicole Augins and Katie Purpura all posted personal best times in Saturday's race in Blacksburg. All of these runners are expected to compete this weekend.

The men's team was also impressive in Blacksburg, as despite holding out its potential #2 and #3 runners, Andrey Dmitriev and Felix Kitur, they finished second to High Point. The Keydets were only 10 points behind the regionally-ranked Panther team. Senior Ermin Mujezinovic finished fifth overall, after leading the race for much of its early stages, and freshman Cabell Willis was sixth in an impressive performance. In addition, Ian McGinn, who is expected to be a key contributor this season, continued his successful return from injury with a eighth-place finish.

Both Keydet teams will be facing quality competition, including the host team, the Charlotte 49ers, who currently have both their men's and women's teams ranked in the USTFCCCA regional poll. Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Clemson and South Carolina are all also scheduled to send teams to Friday's proceedings.

Following the action at McAlpine Park, the Keydets will be back in action Friday, Oct. 15, taking to Appalachian State's course in Boone, N.C. for the Appalachian State Invitational.