HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Bria Bennis led the Vanderbilt women’s cross country team to a fifth-place finish, the program’s best finish since 2016, at the NCAA DI South Region Championships on Friday morning at the John Hunt Cross Country Course.
“This is the performance we have been working for the entire season,” director of cross country and track and field Althea Thomas said. “Coach (Chad) Balyo and Coach Lisa (Morgan) had the team well prepared and locked into a great race plan.”
Bennis placed 13th with a personal-best time of 19:51.24, the best individual finish by a Commodore since 2015 (Sarah Tsai, fifth). She was one of three Dores to earn a spot on the NCAA All-South Region team. Claire Peterson was the second Vanderbilt finisher and 17th overall, registering a time of 19:54.57. The third Commodore and 20th overall runner to cross the finish line was Tyla Lumley, who clocked 19:58.33. Vanderbilt’s two other scorers were Lily Kriegel, who placed 44th with a time of 20:32.73, and Betsy Jepkemei, who came in 60th with a time of 20:52.83. All of the Dores’ runners registered personal-best times in the 6-kilometer race. Hannah Huyler and Myrto Valacha turned in times of 21:08.64 and 21:16.39.
“Our ladies started the day with confidence and unshakable execution,” Thomas said. “At 4k, we were contending for a top 2 team finish to qualify to the NCAA Championships. The entire team finished with grit and resilience, with Bria (Bennis) leading the pack in a winner’s fashion. Her competitiveness is a marvelous thing to watch and as good as anyone in the NCAA. To have three ladies in Bria, Claire (Petersen) and Tyla (Lumley) finish as all-region is a first for my tenure and one of the many visions I’ve had for the program. Lily (Kriegel), Betsy (Jepkemei), Myrto (Valacha) and Hannah (Huyler)’s efforts made us one of the best teams in the NCAA, and we have so much more in us.”
On the men’s side, Luke Churchwell led the Dores for the fourth time this season, recording a personal-best time of 31:12.41 and placing 60th overall. In his first-ever 10k, Sam Darmanie placed 69th overall and 16th among freshmen. The second Commodore finisher, he clocked 31:27.21. Brady Bliven, Michael Skora (32:04.53) and Jackson Scruggs (32:35.56) rounded out Vanderbilt’s scorers. Bliven’s time of 31:35.21 is a personal best. The Commodore men placed 16th as a team.
“Our men followed with just as much fight in a farther distance. Luke (Churchwell) has been a consistent leader on and off the course from the moment he committed to Vandy,” Thomas continued. “The talent development and of this men’s team is amazing with so much more to come”
“This was a necessary step towards greatness, and we are officially a complete cross country program” Thomas concluded.
The NCAA DI Cross Country Selection Show will be Saturday at 4 p.m. CT and will air on NCAA.com.
Fans can follow Vanderbilt cross country and track and field on X and Instagram at @VandyXCTrack.
