Sept. 28, 2006

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Coming of its highest ever finish at the prestigious Great American Cross Country Festival last week, the <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>South Carolina cross country team looks to continue its competitive racing Saturday at the Auburn Invitational.

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Twenty-three teams will race this weekend, including two ranked teams in No. 16 Iowa and No. 29 Florida State. The Gamecocks competed against the Seminoles last weekend at the Great American Cross Country Festival and defeated the then No.19 team by 20 points. Other participants include SEC rivals Auburn, LSU and Ole Miss.

“This week will be very similar to last week as far as competition level and talent,” coach Stan Rosenthal said. “There will be three other SEC teams there this week. It will be our first time competing against other teams from the conference, so it will be good to see how we stack up against them at this point.”

USC’s goal is to finish in the top five and place the top five runners in the Top 35 at the event. Despite having half the team stricken with bronchitis and top runner Casey Gale battling shin splints last week, the Gamecocks placed three runners in the Top 35 and expect to compete stronger with all but one varsity member recovered from bronchitis.

“They all were able to practice this week,” Rosenthal said. “Anna (Petrov) was the only one that couldn’t practice Tuesday, but she was able to return Thursday and practice.”

Unlike the course in Hoover, this week’s course, held at the Indian Pines Golf Resort in Auburn, will run more smoothly. “This will be unlike last week’s race,” Rosenthal said. “This course gives very good footing and runs very fast.”

USC will return to action October 14 at the Furman Invitational. Rosenthal expects to run his “B” team to help gain more experience before heading into the SEC Championships.