March 20, 2005

RICHMOND, Va. -- Longwood University men’s cross country team members competed at the Ram Invitational hosted by VCU Friday and Saturday in Richmond. The Lancers are participating in selected track & field competitions this spring during their non-traditional season. Longwood is scheduled to compete again March 25-26 at the Battleground Relays hosted by the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.

At VCU, Longwood was led by freshman D.J. Palmer/Chantilly (Chantilly) who set a new school-record in the 1,500 meters with his time of 4:19.50. He also ran on the 4 x 800 meter relay team that finished in 8:36.76, and included sophomores Keith Smith/Powhatan (Powhatan) and Chris Gibbs/Richmond (Lloyd C. Bird), along with freshman Mark Anderson/Chesapeake (Western Branch).

Smith also ran the 3,000 meter steeplechase (11:16.00), while Gibbs also competed in the 1,500 (4:27.13). Freshman Jamie Butcher/McLean (McLean) participated in both the 800 meters (2:25.08) and the 5,000 meters (17:52.00).