Four Gamecocks Named to USTFCCCA All-Region Team
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Nov. 17, 2025) – South Carolina Cross Country added to its historical season on Monday afternoon as a program record four student-athletes were named to the USTFCCCA All-Region Team. Salma Elbadra, Abir Reffas, Anya Arroyo and Teresa Cherotich earned the distinct honors for the Garnet & Black, aiding in the program’s first ever trip to the NCAA Cross Country Championship.
To qualify for the All-Region squad, athletes must finish inside the Top 25 on the individual leaderboard. This is just the third time in program history that the Gamecocks have placed multiple athletes on the All-Region team, surpassing the previous program of three set in 1994.
Elbadra has put together a freshman campaign for the ages, most recently winning the individual crown at the Southeast Regional in Charlottesville, Va. The Morocco native crossed the line in 19:03.1 for the title, shattering the school record for the fastest 6K that was previously held by Judy Kosgei (19:41.5). Elbadra also earned a spot on the First Team All-SEC after placing fifth at the SEC Cross Country Championship at the end of October.
Reffas is in her first season with the Gamecocks after transferring to Columbia from California Baptist. The Algeria native finished 18th at the Southeast Regional over the weekend, running a personal best time of 19:57.3 for the fifth fastest 6K in school history. Reffas has a pair of Top 10 finishes this season for the Gamecocks, doing so in a pair of 5K events.
Arroyo earns her first All-Region honor after placing 21st overall at the Southeast Regional. The South Carolina native ran a personal best 6K time of 20:04.0, jumping into sixth all time in Gamecock history. Arroyo secured Top 10 finishes in all four 5K events this fall, including a runner-up finish at the Covered Bridge Open to begin the season.
Cherotich rounds out the All-Region squad, earning her second consecutive spot on the All-Region team. The Kenya product finished 22nd individually, clocking 20:08.8 at the Southeast Regional. Cherotich owns three Top 10 finishes this fall, including winning the individual title at the Covered Bridge Open.
All four runners will be back in action this weekend, alongside teammates Jade Buridon, Cate Conklin, Abigail White and Mary Frances Iseman as the Gamecocks compete in the NCAA Cross Country Championship as a team for the first time in program history.
