Cross Country Garners All-Academic Team and Individual Honors
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Jan. 29, 2026) – For the 27th time in program history, South Carolina Cross Country was named USTFCCCA All-Academic Team as announced by the USTFCCCA league office on Thursday evening. In addition, Anya Arroyo, Teresa Cherotich and Abir Reffas were each named All-Academic Athletes.
To earn All-Academic Team, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period. In order to be named an All-Academic Athlete, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-25 (or 10 percent) at the NCAA Regional Championships or as an All-American at the NCAA Championships.
Arroyo earned the honor after placing 21st at the NCAA Southeast Regional this year, running a personal best time of 20:04.0. The neuroscience major now holds the sixth fastest 6K time in Gamecock history. Arroyo concluded the year with four Top 10 finishes, all in the 5K event.
Cherotich was named USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete for the second consecutive season, finishing 22nd at the Southeast Regional after crossing the line in 20:08.8. The Kenya product is a hospitality management major and competed in seven meets for South Carolina this year, turning in three Top 10 finishes including a win at the Covered Bridge Open.
Reffas joined South Carolina this season and made a quick impact, finishing 18th at the NCAA Southeast Regional. The Algeria native turned in the fifth fastest 6K in program history at the regional meet. Reffas, pursuing her Masters of Sport Management degree, competed in six events with two Top 10 results.
For a full breakdown of the USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams and Athletes, click here.
