Pair of Program Records Fall as Distance Dominates in Boston
BOSTON, Mass. (Dec. 6, 2025) – Just one day after the team opened the season at Clemson, the distance squad flexed its muscles in Boston at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Opener with a pair of program records in addition to nine new Top 10 program marks.
Salma Elbadra was responsible for one of those two records showing that she is not slowing down from the cross country season. The All-American distance runner captured the title in the invite section of the 3000 meter, breaking her own program record by 17 seconds as she crossed the line in 8:41.76. Elbadra’s new program record also stands as the fifth fastest time in collegiate history.
The other record to fall came by the feet of Anya Arroyo who set a new Gamecock top time in the 5000 meter. The South Carolina native is fresh off her best cross country season, returning to the track to clock a time of 16:04.64 for the new top time in school history.
Outside the program records, there were five other Top 10 program marks for the women. Jade Buridon made her Carolina Track & Field debut in the invite section of the women’s mile, running 4:47.23 for the sixth fastest time in school history. Abir Reffas and Abigail White competed in the open section of the 3000m and turned in personal best times and Top 10 program times of their own. Reffas, making her Carolina Track & Field debut, finished third overall with a time of 9:06.12 for the second fastest mark in school history, while White clocked 9:25.04 for the sixth fastest time in Carolina history. The final two Top 10 marks came in the open 5000 meter as Cate Conklin turned in the third fastest time in school history (16:12.44), while Emma Torbert crossed the finish line in 16:30.69 for the seventh fastest time.
The men appeared in just two events on the day with Kaleb Burroughs running in the mile and Jaouad Khchina competing in the 3000 meter. Khchina finished as the top collegiate runner in the field in the 3K improving on his personal best after running 7:51.76 for the runner-up finish and the second fastest time in school history. Burroughs made his collegiate debut with a 12th place finish in the mile but was able to record the fifth fastest time in program history as he crossed the finish line in 4:05.54.
The Gamecocks will take a one-month hiatus and return to the track on Jan. 10, 2026 for the Gamecock Opener at the Carolina Indoor Track & Field Complex. The remainder of the 2026 season slate can be found here.
Men’s Individual Results
1-Mile
12. Kaleb Burroughs – 4:05.54*
3000 Meters
2. Jaouad Khchina – 7:51.76*
Women’s Individual Results
1-Mile (Invite)
9. Jade Buridon – 4:47.23*
3000 Meters (Invite)
1. Salma Elbadra – 8:41.76*
3000 Meters
3. Abir Reffas – 9:06.12*
18. Abigail White – 9:25.04*
51. Hattie Jennings – 9:49.13
57. Allie Matasich – 9:52.81*
— Mary Frances Iseman – DNF
5000 Meters
46. Anya Arroyo – 16:04.64*
59. Teresa Cherotich – 16:11.14
61. Cate Conklin – 16:12.44*
99. Emma Torbert – 16:30.69*
* – denotes indoor PR
