Sept. 3, 2004

Columbia, SC –
The Gamecock cross country team opens their season at home Friday, September 3 at the USC Gamecock Cross Country Invite at Owens Field starting at 6:30 p.m.

Scheduled to participate in the meet are Clemson, Coker College, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, South Carolina State University, Voorhees College, Gardner-Webb University, Georgia Southern University and UNC Pembroke.

At Friday’s meet, the Gamecocks will be given its first chance to extend their winning streak against Clemson to four consecutive years. The Gamecocks are also looking to have a great overall season this fall, with hopes of improving their SEC and NCAA standings. With a schedule that includes meets at Clemson, Winthrop, Auburn and Great American, the team is hoping to make 2004 the year of the Gamecocks.

The very young team, consisting of 22 freshmen and sophomores, will be led by senior captain Jenny Lake. Lake, coming off a successful junior season, will be the point runner for the squad after earning SEC All-Conference honors with a 7th place finish and receiving NCAA All-Region honors by placing 17th in the strongest NCAA region in the country.

Junior Shay Shelton is coming off a good track season and is expected to make a great impact on the varsity team, while sophomore leaders include returners Nicki Breves, Christine Mudd, Tristan Rackow and Karen Wigal. Newcomers expected to be contenders for the Gamecock Varsity 7 are Rebecca Chain, Casey Ostein, Callie Rabun, Amy Wike and Tricia Wigal.