The VMI cross country teams are currently in final preparations for the 2009 Big South Championship, set to be hosted by High Point Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C. An interview with VMI head coach Paul Spangler is located above. 

The very young women's team, which has run six freshmen this year, has enjoyed an impressive season. Team leader Hannah Granger has captured a trio of Big South Runner of the Week awards already in 2009, two of which were school record performances. The junior broke the VMI 6K record at the Paul Short Run Oct. 2, thanks to a 21:18 clocking. Granger followed up that performance at her next meet, the Blue Ridge Open, where she finished 11th in the 5K event, breaking her own record with a 18:08 effort. She won the Big South Preview meet as well, handily defeating perhaps her top rival, Liberty's Dacia Bushman by some seven seconds. However, Liberty won that meet, beating the second-place Keydets by 12 points.

Since the Big South Preview, VMI has regained one of its top runners, as freshman Corinne Lariviere has returned from injury. Her 19:23 5K time at the Blue Ridge Open was good for 47th overall, and the depth clearly helped the Keydets, as VMI earned to a fifth-place finish at the Oct. 16 meet. The effort was ahead of Coastal Carolina and High Point, establishing VMI as a true contender at this weekend's championships.

The Keydets' #2 runner is another freshman, Jenna Moye, who was 4th at the Big South Preview and should be very strong once again. Lindsey Carty and Leah Schubel have posted personal bests in every traditional race this season, and sophomore Jenna Pickett, one of only two non-freshmen to compete for the Keydets in 2009, will provide depth and experience.

The 2009 Big South Cross Country Championships will be held at the Shady Oaks Kennel, located in Winston-Salem, N.C. The 8K men's race is scheduled to start at 10:30, while the women's race is set for an hour later.