Meet: Spider Alumni Open
Location: Mechanicsville, Va. (Pole Green Park)
Distance: 6k (3.73 miles)

Team Scoring: 1- William & Mary (33), 2- Georgetown (34), 3- Norfolk State (65), 4- American (93), 5- Richmond (144), 6- VCU (204), 7- VMI (251), 8- Christopher Newport (256), 9- Catholic (266), 10- Mary Washington (287), 11- Hampton (309), 12- Virginia Union (347), 13- Hampden-Sydney (372), 14- Virginia State (374).

The Short Story: Sophomore Jonathan Hess got off to a strong start, leading the Rams with a 19:15.5 finish in 20th place overall for their first race of the 2026 season. 

THE FINISH LINE

• Jonathan Hess led the Rams in the race with a 19:15.5 finish

• In his VCU Cross Country debut, Ethan Havran finished second on the team with a 20:07.3 and 44th place overall

• Redshirt Junior Thomas Hess finished close behind in 47th place and 20:16.5 in his 2nd Collegiate 6K. 

HEAR FROM THE RAMS

"One thing I would say I learned from today was to trust my training. I went out today thinking I was going to feel a lot better than I did.I just need to be more prepared for the next couple races and to maybe get out a little bit slower and feel it out throughout the course." -Jonathan Hess

"We accomplished the goals we had set for ourselves, most of us followed our plan really well. I would just like to improve on running our own race. For some that is dialing in on what other teams are doing, and for some that is strictly focusing on what their next step is and how to move forward for themselves" -Director of Cross Country Austin Savage

Up Next

The Rams travel to Newport News, Va. for their second meet of the season at the CNU XC Invitational hosted by Christopher Newport on Friday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 PM.