Cadets to Keydets: Benedictine helps fuel VMI鈥檚 athletic excellence
RICHMOND, Va. — Each year, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) enrolls more students from Benedictine College Preparatory (BCP) than from any other high school in the world. A good number of these Cadets attend VMI for its athletic scholarship opportunities. VMI is a point of interest for some of these students because of the relationship established between the schools.
Over the past decade, BCP has sent 18 students to VMI to pursue athletic careers. More recently, Wil Moore 鈥�22, Brett Cook 鈥�19 and Derrell-Fletcher Knight 鈥�22 currently play baseball for the VMI Keydets. Cook holds the single-season stolen base record at Benedictine, along with being tied for the most single-season home runs by an individual BCP Cadet.
Another notable Cadet is Dyson Dunham, a two-time national prep All-American who became a state champion in the 132-pound wrestling division of the 2022 Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA).聽Dunham now hits the mats for VMI.
The Keydets also added Christian Dunn 鈥�20 and Tre Akande 鈥�19 to their football program, along with JP Brunetti 鈥�22 to their swimming roster.
The Keydets鈥� relationship with BCP grows stronger each year, as Benedictine continues to provide VMI with student-athletes who will improve their sports teams. This year, Benedictine鈥檚 Alpha Company commander Henry Berling (football) and Provost Officer Jagen Ratlief (baseball), both seniors, are set to take their talents to the next level at VMI. Jack Miller plans on continuing his career as a soccer Keydet, as well. Terae Baldwin and Myles Bridges also have the opportunity to join the Keydets, as they hold football scholarship offers from the college.
Others, like John Garbett, are considering attending VMI because of family connections within the college. Having two brothers attending VMI, it would only make sense that they convince their younger brother to continue a new chapter of his life with them by his side. Charlie Garbett, one brother, tries to nudge him in the right direction toward the possibility of committing to VMI. 鈥淚 think it would be a great opportunity for him,鈥� says Charlie Garbett. 鈥淭he environment is pretty much like BCP, and he would definitely enjoy it here.鈥�
Even the faculty and staff of Benedictine have a strong bond with the Keydets. Bioethics teacher and varsity wrestling head coach David Yost attended VMI and, after a stint in the U.S. Army, came to Benedictine just in time to coach his younger brother, Josh Yost. Like his brother, Josh pursued his interest in wrestling and won the VISAA state championship in the 138-pound division at Benedictine in 2019. He then followed in his brother鈥檚 footsteps and decided to attend VMI, where he also joined the wrestling program.
Benedictine鈥檚 contribution to VMI extends beyond the fields of play and into the school鈥檚 leadership component. In fact, the VMI regimental commander this year is none other than Blake Smith 鈥�19, who was the battalion executive officer while attending Benedictine. After transferring to Benedictine his sophomore year, Smith quickly proved he deserved one of the highest ranks in the corps of cadets, and now he holds the top office of the entire VMI military corps.
VMI runs deep with Benedictine blood and sweat and seems likely to continue to do so. Their tradition of family encourages the Cadets to pursue athletic opportunities as new Keydets.
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