Sept. 4, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina women’s cross country season begins Saturday, Sept. 5, as the Gamecocks host the Carolina Challenge. The 5K race begins at 9 a.m. and will be part of an overall meet that includes a high school 5K for boys and girls, and a collegiate men’s 5K.
Leading the team into this season will be Martha McCoy and Ashley Miller. The two were announced as team captains on Wednesday and are expected to be top contributors to the team this Fall.
WEEKEND INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
Start Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Columbia, S.C.
Facility: Weston Lake Recreation Area
“We’re looking forward to getting on a new course, it’s a beautiful and scenic recreation area with some great trails and rolling ground,” said Andrew Allden, Assistant Coach for Cross Country and Distances. “I think it will be an interesting course and we’ve tried to make it as spectator-friendly as possible. We will really be tested by Coastal Carolina, who had two runners finish in the top 12 at regionals last season. The challenge will be their top three runners versus our depth.”
Last season, the Gamecocks experienced some growing pains ââ’¬” both literal and metaphorical ââ’¬” with a young group in 2014, but still reeled off team wins in four of the first five meets. Now with its 13 freshmen from last season a year older and wiser, the team is hopeful 2015 will offer another step towards the top of the pack in the Southeastern Conference.
The top returner for the Gamecocks will be junior Mary Reiser, who fought through nagging injuries last season to run well at the SEC meet and the outdoor track season. Joining her as top returners are sophomores Hannah Giangaspro and Monica York, with the former qualifying for the 5,000 at the USATF Junior Nationals and the latter earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors during the 2014 cross country campaign.
Adding to the team’s depth this season will be a class of seven freshmen who hail from all across the country. After each enjoyed strong high school careers, the Carolina Challenge will be their first tests as collegiate athletes.
Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team in its season opener. The Weston Lake course can be found at 4420 Leesburg Road in Hopkins, signs will be up around the entrance to direct you to parking. The boys and girls high school 5K will begin at 8:15 with the Gamecocks to race afterward. Members of the team will also be on-hand signing team posters.
