It might be early, but there is reason for optimism about the Virginia cross country program’s chances this year as the Cavalier men and women both open their seasons Friday at Virginia Tech.
Less than two weeks after coach Jason Vigilante resigned from his post as coach of the Virginia men's and women's track and field and cross country teams, the Cavaliers will begin the indoor track and field season without a head coach at this weekend's Liberty Kick-Off in Lynchburg. The meet, which will take place tomorrow and Saturday, pits Virginia against a handful of in-state foes, including host Liberty, Radford, VMI and Lynchburg.
Jason Vigilante, Virginia's cross country and track and field coach, resigned last week in the midst of his third season at the helm. Athletic Director Craig Littlepage thanked Vigilante for his contributions to the program in a statement last week, and expressed his dedication to finding a suitable replacement. The Cavaliers will begin their indoor track and field season Dec.
For the second consecutive season, the No. 21 Virginia women's cross country team captured the NCAA Southeast Regional title after edging runner-up N.C.
[caption id="attachment_47614" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Fifth-year senior Mark Amirault took the podium at last weekend's ACC Championship with a team-best third-place finish in the 8k race.
[caption id="attachment_46948" align="alignleft" width="199" caption="Sophomore Chris Foley secured a third-place finish at Panorama Farms.
[caption id="attachment_46395" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Senior Morgane Gay recorded the best finish of any Cavalier at the Paul Short Invitational with a 10th-place showing in the women's six-kilometer event.
The last time the Virginia women's cross country team competed, it earned a perfect score of 15 by sweeping the first seven finishes at the Lou Onesty Open. Today, the Cavaliers will return to action for the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University.
[caption id="attachment_38716" align="alignleft" width="161" caption="Redshirt junior Ryan Collins finished in 32nd place at the NCAA Championships yesterday, becoming just the sixth Cavalier ever to receive All-American honors.
[caption id="attachment_38604" align="alignleft" width="208" caption="Redshirt junior Ryan Collins finished seventh at the NCAA Southeast Regional after finishing runner-up to senior Emil Heineking at the ACC Championships.
The No. 12 Virginia women's cross country team left nothing to chance in its quest for a trip to the NCAA Championships as it claimed the Southeast Region Championship Saturday morning, earning an automatic bid to next week's national race.
The Virginia men's and women's cross country teams will travel to Louisville, Ky. this weekend to compete in the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships, which could be their last race of the season.
The Virginia men's and women's cross country teams will compete at home for the last time this season today as they host the Cavalier Open at Panorama Farms.
[caption id="attachment_37775" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Senior All-American Emil Heineking won his second consecutive conference title, becoming just the ninth individual to accomplish this feat during the event's 57-year history.
The Virginia men's and women's cross country teams will kick off their postseasons this weekend at the ACC Championships in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The No.
[caption id="attachment_37120" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Senior Emil Heineking won his second consecutive individual title at Panorama Farms Friday.
The Virginia men's and women's cross country teams will return home this weekend to host the Panorama Farms Invitational.
[caption id="attachment_36791" align="alignleft" width="264" caption="Fifth-year senior Stephanie Garcia won the Lou Onesty Open at Panorama Farms to open her last year, earning ACC Performer of the Week honors.
[caption id="attachment_36680" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Senior All-American Emil Heineking, center, made his season debut this past weekend at the Brooks-Paul Short Run Invitational after sitting out for nine months because of injury.
[caption id="attachment_36433" align="alignleft" width="199" caption="Senior Steve Finley is competing in cross country for the first time since 2008.
