RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia State Men's Cross Country team finished in third place in the Virginia State University Invitational 8k Friday afternoon. 
 

The VSU men's Cross Country team earned 41 points with an average time of 29.12. Freshman sensation JaPrince Gaines, Jr.  broke the school record in the men's 8k which was previously held by Tyreece Huff who posted a 25:35.9 back in 2019. Gaines ran a 25:32.9 with a 5:08.3 mile split which placed him first of 30 runners.
 

Next came Gabriel Miles who finished in a time of 28:04.5 with a 5.38.8 split which placed him in fifth place and gave him yet another personal best this season. In his first collegiate race Jeremiah Monts posted a 29:17.8 with a 5:53.6 mile split which placed him seventh place. Dacarai Clark finished in ninth place after completing his race in in 29:39.3, with a 5.57. 9 which game another personal best. Kavonte Dawson finished in 33:26.0 with a 6.43.5 mile split which gave him a 20^th place finish as well as a new personal best. Savion Spencer was back active in the Panther Invitational posting a personal best 33:34.7 with a 6:45.2 which placed him 20^th. Rounding it out for the Trojans was Jalen Brownlee finishing in 36:14.3 with a 7:17.4 mile split which placed him 27^th.
 

The Trojans Men's and Women's Cross-Country teams will prepare to head to Salem, VA to attempt to take home the 2022 CIAA Cross Country Championship on Thursday, October 27.