Gamecocks Take Seven of Top 14 Finishers in Carolina Challenge

Aug 30, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina cross country team showed off its strong depth in its first race of the year, as seven of the top-14 finishers in the Carolina Challenge came from the host Gamecocks.

South Carolina, which finished second in the team standings, saw junior Meredith Mill go out for the win with a strong early push. Leading after almost half the race, she crossed the line in fourth, leading the Gamecocks with her 18:49.26 time. Senior Penny Boswell and freshman Mary Reiser finished seventh and eighth at 19:08.19 and 19:09.51, respectively, matching team champion Coastal Carolina with three racers in the top nine.

The quality of the Gamecock roster’s strong middle showed next, with freshman Martha McCoy claiming 10th in 19:33.00. Sophomores Christine Kent (19:33.67) and Brandy Wybersky (19:33.80) took 12th and 13th while freshman Melanie Ng (19:34.71) came in 14th overall with a 19:34.71 clocking.

Coastal won the team race by two points, 39 to 41, over South Carolina, but assistant track coach Andrew Allden, who leads the cross country team’s efforts, said he was pleased with his team’s efforts. He points to the return of all-region performer redshirt sophomore Kayla Lampe and others who could help the team achieve even more this fall.

Other Gamecock finishers included sophomore Stephanie Berger (19th, 19:43.82), sophomore Allie Whitley (24th, 20:08.05), freshman Meri Heneage (29th, 20:21.68), freshman Sarah Falta (32nd, 20:24.97), sophomore Alex Mullin (34th, 20:40.22), freshman Brittany Day (35th, 20:47.66), junior Sarah Pellegrini (37th, 20:51.60), sophomore Anna Todd (41st, 20:57.28), senior Liz Locke (43rd, 20:59.32), sophomore Courtney Swink (46th, 21:09.79), sophomore Kaleigh Higgins (53rd, 21:22.40), freshman Haley Saxby (69th, 23:04.27),

South Carolina hosts its second home meet of the year, the Gamecock Invitational #1, next Friday evening at Hilton Field.

Carolina Challenge
Aug. 30, 2013 – Hilton Field; Columbia, S.C.

Team Results
1. Coastal Carolina, 39
2. South Carolina, 41
3. College of Charleston, 84
4. Charlotte, 107
5. Savannah College of Art & Design, 160
6. The Citadel, 171
7. Charleston Southern, 191
8. USC Beaufort, 218
9. Georgia Southern, 239
10. Presbyterian, 255
11. South Carolina State, 273

South Carolina’s Individual Results
4. Meredith Mill, Jr., 18:49.26
7. Penny Boswell, Sr., 19:08.19
8. Mary Reiser, Fr., 19:09.51
10. Martha McCoy, Fr., 19:33.00
12. Christine Kent, So., 19:33.67
13. Brandy Wybersky, So., 19:33.80
14. Melanie Ng, Fr., 19:34.71
19. Stephanie Berger, So., 19:43.82
24. Allie Whitley, So., 20:08.05
29. Meri Heneage, Fr., 20:21.68
32. Sarah Falta, Fr., 20:24.97
34. Alex Mullin, So., 20:40.22
35. Brittany Day, Fr., 20:47.66
37. Sarah Pellegrini, Jr., 20:51.60
41. Anna Todd, So., 20:57.28
43. Liz Locke, Sr., 20:59.32
46. Courtney Swink, So., 21:09.79
53. Kaleigh Higgins, So., 21:22.40
69. Haley Saxby, Fr., 23:04.27