Sept. 4, 2008

After a successful start to the season, by claiming the team title at the Gamecock Invitational, the South Carolina cross country team is back in action. The Gamecocks will hit the road this weekend to compete at the 25th Annual Eye Opener Invitational at Milliken Center in Spartanburg, S.C. on Sat. Sept. 6. The women’s 5000 meter race is set to begin at 8:00 a.m., with the men’s 8000 meter race to follow at 8:30 a.m.

Forty women’s teams will be competing at the race. Three of these teams – Clemson, Appalachian State and Davidson – were in the top 15 in the Southeast Region last season according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The South Carolina cross country team will face archrival Clemson for the first time this season. The two teams last met at the 2007 Gamecock Invitational as the Gamecocks outran the Tigers with a third-place finish.

The Gamecocks plan to stay in a pack and move closer to the front to secure another victory. After a successful week of practice head coach Stan Rosenthal believes the race will be a positive one.

“We have had a good week of practice. If we race as we practice, we will have a good team outing,” Rosenthal said.