Gamecock Invitational Women’s Results

Sept. 1, 2006

Running in her first race with the South Carolina cross country team, sophomore-transfer Casey Gale ran a personal best by 45 seconds to pace the Gamecocks’ to their first win at the Gamecock Invitational since 2003. It was the second in win for Carolina in as many days with the Gamecock Volleyball team winning Thursday night at Clemson (3-2).

“I was very pleased with the way we attacked today,” USC cross country coach Stan Rosenthal said. “I’m very pleased with Casey (Gale). She ran a good race and led the whole way before being nipped at the end. The whole team ran a good race. The top eight runners did great. It’s still early in the season and we need to get better for the SEC’s, but it’s a really fine first step.”

Gale, whose previous PR for a 5K was a 19:15, started the race in the front of the pack and battled all the way to the finish line, finishing as the runner-up at 18:31. Anna Mae Flynn of Elon edged Gale at the line for the individual title to finish at 18:30. The two ran neck in neck the entire race.

“I’m really proud and enthusiastic about racing,” Gale said. “It was fun. I had a great time, and I was really happy to win. This is a great start to our season.”

Carolina finished three athletes in the top-10, totaling 38 points for first place. Elon came in second place at 65 points, followed by the College of Charleston at 70. Clemson, winner of the event the past two years, finished in fourth place with 106 points.

The Carolina harriers got off to a quick start, with five runners leading the pack heading into the top of the first hill. At the end of the first kilometer, the Gamecocks held a significant advantage with seven of the top nine runners, paced by junior Rebecca Chain, Gale and senior Karen Wigal.

Gale began to make her push at the 3K mark, pushing ahead of the pack by a few seconds. Freshman Lisa McKinney also edged her way to the front of the race. By the 4K mark, Gale, McKinney, Chain, Wigal, sophomores Anna Petrov and Callie Rabun, and senior Nicki Breves held positions in the top-20 to pave the way for the Carolina victory.

Up next for the Gamecocks: a trip to Clemson, S.C., for the Clemson Invitational on Sept. 9.