Gamecocks Open Campaign at Eye Opener
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Sept. 3, 2026) – South Carolina Cross Country will open its 2026 campaign on Friday night at the Eye Opener in Spartanburg, S.C.
The Gamecocks will run tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the first 5K event of the season, returning to the Eye Opener for the first time since 2003 with South Carolina finished fourth. Live results for Friday’s race can be found here.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
There will be a total of 15 teams running in this year’s event, headlined by South Carolina, Clemson and Liberty. In addition to host USC Upstate, the remaining NCAA Division I teams will be East Tennessee State, Longwood and Wofford.
CONTINUING THE TREND
The Gamecocks are led by head coach Tim Hall as well as cross country coach Brock Moreaux, each in their fourth year with the program. South Carolina continues to elevate the program under the duo’s tenure, becoming evident with the accomplishments of the 2025 team that finished third at the SEC Championship and runner-up at the NCAA Southeast Regional to earn the program’s first ever team appearance at the NCAA Championship. The Gamecocks won both the Covered Bridge Open and the Crimson Classic last season, while placing second at the Joe Pianne Invite and third overall at the Adidas XC Challenge. South Carolina’s only non-podium finish was when the team placed 15th at the NCAA Championship in the first appearance in program history.
IN GOOD COMPANY
All seven Gamecock runners from last year’s Southeast Regional and NCAA Championship are back for the 2026 season. In addition, South Carolina added depth to the roster by bringing in three new faces. Among the newcomers is France native Louise Bailly who is a World Triathlon Athlete, placing 12th overall in the Women’s Europe Triathlon Duathlon Championship. She is joined by fellow freshmen Ella Demmerle and Ella Nighbor, with Nighbor ranking 13th nationally in the 5K while running for Clover High School in 2026 with a time of 16:40.44.
LINING UP FRIDAY
South Carolina will send 12 student-athletes to represent the Garnet & Black tomorrow in the Upstate, led by two-time All-SEC and All-Region honoree Teresa Cherotich in addition to 2025 Southeast All-Region member Anya Arroyo. The duo will be joined by returners Emma Ashley, Mary Frances Iseman, Hattie Jennings, Siobhan Joyce, Sofie Kurzawa, Allie Matasich, Emma Torbert and Abigail White. Ella Demmerle and Ella Nighbor will be making their collegiate debuts tomorrow in Spartanburg.
