Oct. 10, 2001

A Look Back At The State Collegiate Win

The USC women’s cross country traveled to in-state rival Clemson University to take on the Tigers and six other teams at the State Collegiate. It was perfect fall cross country weather and the Gamecocks responded with a great team race and five fine individual performances. The team race plan was to race in an even paced, controlled manner, working their way through the pack towards the front.

Freshman Jenny Lake and Senior Rachel Smith passed the early race leader from Clemson just before the first mile marker. Lake never was challenged after that point and went on to win the race over the 3.3 mile course in 18:49 (17:46-5K). Smith battled with Clemson’s and Winthrop’s number one runners during the last mile, before crossing the finish line in third place at 19:03 (18:00-5K). Both times were lifetime bests for Lake and Smith.

In the main pack, the team battle was being fought by USC, Clemson and Maryland. At the two mile mark, both Clemson and Maryland were ahead of USC. However, Freshmen Nikki Campbell and Criston Dailey and Junior Kinsey Eschenburg were following the race plan and moving forward. With 1200 to go they climbed into second place and with 800 to go they put the team into the lead and steadily increased the margin of victory. The final team score was 36 points for USC to Maryland’s 63 and Clemson’s 75 with Winthrop a close fourth at 79 points.

Campbell ended the race by passing five runners in the last 600, placing seventh in 19:47 (18:43-5K). Not to be outdone, Dailey also passed five runners over the same stretch. Her time was 19:50 (18:46-5K). Eschenburg held onto 16th place running 20:14 (19:04-5K). All three crossed the finish line with lifetime bests.

It was a great day for the team and showed the improvement the entire team has made over the past five weeks. In addition, the team arrived back in Columbia in time to watch the final half of the football team’s very exciting last minute victory over Alabama.