Larkin, Stoddard and Wilson Named 2019 Captains
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s cross country coach Andrew Allden has announced that seniors Kelsey Larkin and Anna Kathryn Stoddard and junior Brooke Wilson will serve as captains of the 2019 squad.
“These three captains exemplify the best of our team academically and athletically,” Allden said. “They will do a great job of leading the team this year.”
In 2018, Larkin led the Gamecocks to a team title at the Charleston Classic, placing eighth with a time of 19:19.03. She also ran at the SEC Championship and the NCAA Southeast Regional.
Competing in outdoor track, Larkin embarked on her first year of the steeplechase. Larkin won the event at the Gamecock Invitational in 11:31.00. At the SEC Championships, she placed 19th, earning a new PR of 11:14.38, also clocking the third-best time in South Carolina History.
Last season, Stoddard was Carolina’s top finisher at the NCAA Southeast Regional, running the 6K in a career-best 21:08.5. She posted her best 5K of the season with a time of 18:25.97 at the Joe Piane Invitational. At the SEC Championship, Stoddard placed second among the Gamecocks and 64th overall, running a 20:22.08.
During indoor track season, Stoddard helped the distance squad to a historic indoor campaign. She lowered her 3000m PR to 9:55.57 also earning the seventh-best mark in program history. Stoddard led the DMR team to a time of 11:46.08 at the Dr. Sander Challenge, placing them at No. 6 in the record book. At the SEC Championships, she helped the Gamecocks to a fifth-place finish, their best since 2005, with a time of 11:38.69.
In outdoor track, Stoddard set personal bests in the 1500m, 5000m and 10000m. Completed her first-ever 10000m at the SEC Championships, finishing 13th with a time of 35:26.16, which ranked fourth in school history.
Wilson played a key role in Carolina winning the Charleston Classic, placing fourth at the meet with a time of 18:54.7. As a sophomore last season, Wilson competed for the Gamecocks at both the SEC Championship and the NCAA Southeast Regional.
Participating in indoor track, Wilson posted her best mile time with a 5:09.36. She placed second at the Gamecock Inaugural, finishing the 5000m in 17:34.41. During outdoor track, Wilson set a new 1500m PR at the Black & Gold Challenge when she finished seventh in 4:42.87. She also ran a 5000m PR at the Florida Relays with a time of 18:08.60.
The three are set to lead their team with the first meet of the season scheduled for Saturday, August 31 when the Gamecocks host the Carolina Challenge at 9 a.m.
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