Oct. 30, 2004

Fayetteville, Ark. – The USC Cross Country team traveled to Fayetteville, Ark. Saturday to compete for the 14th annual SEC Cross Country Championship against rivals such as Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia. USC ended the day in 11th place, finishing just eight point short of Alabama.

The Gamecocks were led by senior captain Jenny Lake who placed 23rd with a time of 21:59 in the 6K race. Also finishing for USC were freshmen Amy Wike (22:48), Rebecca Chain (23:18), and Caitlin McGroerty (24:30), as well as sophomores Karen Wigal (23:31), Tristan Rackow (24:08) and Kristina Shelton (25:12).

The Tennessee Lady Vols successfully defended their SEC title winning the closest team championship in SEC history, edging the Lady Razorbacks by just two points. Auburn’s Angela Homan won the women’s individual title by more than 20 seconds, while the Razorbacks’ Josphat Boit won the men’s title by 11 seconds leading his Arkansas men’s cross country team to their continued record 14th straight SEC crown.

Final Women’s Team Statistics: Tennessee, 55 pts; Arkansas, 57 pts; Georgia, 63 pts; Florida, 160 pts; Auburn 168 pts; Vanderbilt, 177 pts; Mississippi State, 186 pts; Kentucky, 193 pts; LSU, 205 pts; Alabama, 257 pts; USC, 265 pts; Ole Miss, 334 pts.

USC Results: Jenny Lake (23rd, 21:59), Amy Wike (47th, 22:48), Rebecca Chain (63rd, 23:18), Karen Wigal (71st, 23:31), Tristan Rackow (80th, 24:08), Cait McGroerty (88th, 24:30), Kristina Shelton (92nd, 25:12), Jackie Vignos (95th, 26:46)