CONWAY, S.C. – Emily Dinning finished 15th to lead the VMI women’s cross country team to a sixth-place finish at Saturday’s Big South Cross Country Championships, held in Conway, S.C. Dinning was the top finishing freshman in the race, making her VMI’s third straight Big South Freshman of the Year in women’s cross country.

Dinning clocked in at 18:35 to earn her result, while Leah Schubel finished 22nd in 18:49. Jenna Moye, returning from injury after missing over a month, ran a 19:08 to finish 33rd, while Hannah Dickinson (42nd/19:25) and Nina Srikongyos (51st/19:42) rounded out the VMI scoring five.

 In the team standings, High Point placed all five of its scoring runners in the top-10 to win its first conference title (33 pts.), while Liberty’s 59 points were second. Coastal Carolina (81), Big South newcomer Campbell (91) and Winthrop (146) rounded out the top five. VMI followed with 155 markers, well ahead of Charleston Southern (209), Gardner-Webb (230), UNC Asheville (238) and Radford (250).

 “As a team, this was a tough day for the women,” said VMI head coach Paul Spangler. “I did think that Leah Schubel ran a solid race, and Emily Dinning really stepped it up to grab our third straight Freshman of the Year award. That’s outstanding for her and the program, and she really worked hard to get there. Sixth place is certainly not what we wanted or expected, but we are a young team and we continue to feel very good about the future.”

 Molly Western (63rd/20:27), Michelle Church (67th/20:47) and Lindsey Carty (74th/21:21) rounded out the VMI competitors. In addition, Moye was named to the All-Academic team following the completion of the race. A complete agate of awards is below.

 VMI cross country will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 12, participating in the NCAA Regional Championships in Louisville, Ky.

 2011 Runner of the Year (Men)

Zac Edwards, Liberty

2011 Runner of the Year (Women)

Jennifer Klugh, Liberty

2011 Freshman of the Year (Men)

Reese Ayers, High Point

2011 Freshman of the Year (Women)

Emily Dinning, VMI

2011 Big South All-Conference Team (Men)

Zac Edwards, Liberty

Jacob Smith, High Point

Patrick Crawford, High Point

Neal Darmody, High Point

Adam Freudanthal, Winthrop

David Ricksecker, Liberty

Caleb Edmonds, Liberty

Josh MacDonald, Liberty

Noah Hagos, VMI

Morgan Timiney, Campbell

2011 All–Conference Team (Women)

Jennifer Klugh, Liberty

Jeanne Stroud, Winthrop

Kayleigh Perry, High Point

Christian Johnson, Coastal Carolina

Audrey Malloy, High Point

Khristina Kanagy, Liberty

Kelsey Hunt, High Point

Kelsey Paine, High Point

Rachel Deline, Campbell

Kelsey Fraser, High Point

2011 Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Men)

Neal Darmody, High Point

2011 Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Women)

Kelsey Fraser, High Point

2011 Cross Country All-Academic Team (Women)

Kelsey Fraser, High Point

Jenna Moye, VMI

Jennifer Klugh, Liberty

Jeanne Stroud, Winthrop

Heidi Dean, Charleston Southern

Ashley Matthews, Campbell

Janel Reeves, Coastal Carolina

Ellie Glunk, Gardner-Webb

Kylie Smith, UNC Asheville

Stephanie Newell, Presbyterian College

Hannah Scheren, Radford