NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt cross country started off the 2024 season with women’s team and men’s individual wins. The Commodore men’s team earned a runner-up finish. Freshman Michael Skora and senior Cameron Fawcett were Vandy’s top individual finishers.
“It was a great first meet,” director of cross country and track and field Althea Thomas said. “Coach Balyo and Coach Morgan had a strategic game plan to start the season. I think the athletes executed it well while demonstrating growth and success and winning for the ladies and being second as a team on the men’s side.”
Skora earned his first collegiate victory, winning the 5-kilometer race with a time of 15:11.79. All Vandy’s scorers on the men’s side placed top 15. Sophomores Mitchel Drees (15:42.37), Jackson Scruggs (15:44.28) and Brady Bliven (15:44.97) and junior David Song (15:47.26) finished ninth through 12th, respectively.
“I think some things are notable with the men being second; our seniors have laid a great foundation for work ethic and accountability, and it has allowed our newcomers to really do well today,” Thomas continued.
Fawcett led the women to a first-place finish, coming in second individually with a time of 18:08.75. In her collegiate debut, freshman Lily Kriegel (18:14.11) was the second Dore and third overall to cross the finish line. Senior Gigi Clifford (18:40.48), junior Mackenzie Culpepper (18:49.77) and sophomore Catherine Sommerfeld (18:54.93) also contributed to Vanderbilt scoring, all placing in the top 15.
“We have a medley of athletes that we will be able to pull from this year,” Thomas said about the Vanderbilt women’s team. “The five that scored for us today to win showed the progress and commitment that we have to being a great team this year and growing every weekend.”
Culpepper, sophomore Patrick Ford (15:51.43), junior Johna Grisik (19:16.47), senior Zach Hodges (15:57.83), Scruggs and Song recorded personal bests Friday morning.
“It was exciting to be out here and see everyone and to break up the monotony of training and to compete against some local schools. We’re looking forward to the rest of the season,” Thomas concluded.
Up next.
The Dores travel to Huntsville, Alabama, for the Southern Showcase, hosted by Jacksonville State (Ala.) on Sept. 13.