Salem, Va.,— The Berry Vikings men's cross country team exceeded expectations at the NCAA South Region Championship on Saturday morning in Salem, Virginia. Despite entering the event projected to finish sixth among a competitive field of nationally ranked teams, the Vikings secured fifth place, closing their season with a team score of 196.

Washington and Lee, ranked 19th in the nation according to the NCAA DIII Men's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll, obliterated the competition in Salem with a low team score of 39. Lynchburg, ranked 23rd nationally and representing the ODAC, placed 2nd to position itself firmly in contention for an at-large bid.

Berry's Keenan Smith and T Harris received All-Region honors for individually placing in the top 35. Smith, Berry's standout freshman, placed 19th with a time of 25:20.80 thanks in part to an all-out finish in the final three kilometers of the race. The All-Region freshman surged from 30th to 19th, inserting himself into the flight of former All-Americans. 

Harris placed in 29th with a time of 25:51.40. The sophomore climbed 14 places throughout the eight kilometer dash to secure All-Region status.

Seniors Troy Blackwood and McKinley Chappell ran the final races of their collegiate careers this morning. Blackwood, wearing bib number 16, ran a season best for a 37th place at 26:02.50. Chappell followed closely behind his classmate, clocking a season best of 26:34.80 for 53rd in the final race of his career. 

Sophomore Xavier Anderson rounded out the scoring for the Vikings, achieving 59th. The underclassman was only three seconds away from a personal record, clocking in at 26:51.70.

The Vikings will transition into preparations for the upcoming indoor track and field season set to begin in December.