Sept. 4, 2009

Former World Champion and Olympian Zola Budd will not compete in tonight’s Gamecock Invitational cross country due to illness, it was announced today.

The Gamecock Invitational marks the opening meet of the season for the University of South Carolina cross country team. The meet will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Hilton Field in Fort Jackson with a men’s race followed by the 7 p.m. start time for the women.

The meet is free of charge, and fans can enter through Gate 2 at Fort Jackson (Exit 12 on I-77). A photo ID, vehicle registration and vehicle insurance are required to enter Fort Jackson.

Collegiate teams competing in the meet include Clemson, Coastal Carolina, The Citadel, Coker College, Savannah College of Art & Design, USC Beaufort, Presbyterian College, Mercer, Georgia Southern, South Carolina State and USC Aiken.

The Gamecocks have had strong showings at the meet since its inception in 2003, claiming three first-place finishes, two second-place finishes and one third-place showing. In 2008, the Gamecocks won the meet after seven runners placed in the top 10 to give the team 25 points, well-ahead of second place Coastal Carolina’s 42 points. Headlining the Gamecock’s team competition are the Clemson Tigers and the Big South Champions Coastal Carolina. The Gamecocks will be lead by two NCAA qualifiers from the 2009 track and field season, sophomore Beatrice Biwott and senior Dani Barnes. Juniors Ashley Evens and Laura Pramstaller have also been leading the Gamecock pack and should post strong times for the team. Freshmen Emma Borowicz (JL Mann HS), Tatum Tyler and Laura Beggs, along with sophomores Erin Fedewa, Sara Hartley and Nicole Rhienlander, complete the pack and the top 10 in the varsity.