Gamecocks Take 13th in Packed Crimson Classic Field

Oct. 14, 2016

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – South Carolina’s cross country team put together a solid showing in the Crimson Classic at the Harry Pritchett Running Course, finishing 13th overall and fifth among its fellow Southeastern Conference competitors in the field.

In the field of 30 teams overall and 26 in the University Division, senior Mary Reiser led the charge to finish in the top half. She posted a 42nd-place finish in 21:46.2, while sophomore Allison Mueller, running just her second 6K at South Carolina, finished 72nd and second on the team in 22:11.9, a personal best. Three juniors, Monica York (106th, 22:44.6), Martha McCoy (126th, 22:59.2) and Kaylee Wessel (129th, 23:02.7) rounded out the Gamecocks’ top five.

Freshman Emily Crounse, one of seven freshmen running their first 6K, ranked 132nd overall with a clocking of 23:04.3. Redshirt freshman Colleen Openshaw finished 11 spots behind Crounse in 23:12.8. In total, 10 Gamecocks posted 6K personal bests, including Mueller, Crounse and Openshaw.

“It was a solid team showing,” remarked assistant track coach for distance Andrew Allden. “On the plus side, we beat Tennessee and LSU. It was a little warm, and the course is challenging. Allison Mueller had a standout performance in a solid race today. Another who jumped up was Colleen Openshaw. She’s been working her way back into the lineup after being out all last year. Emily Crounse also had a really solid run for a freshman in her first 6K. We have the capability to get better. We can run better, and we’ll try to do that at SECs.”

The Gamecocks face all 14 SEC teams in two weeks in the SEC Championships, hosted by Arkansas on Oct. 28.