Gamecocks Cruise to Victory at Eye Opener
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Sept. 4, 2026) – South Carolina Cross Country dominated the field on Friday night en route to winning the 2026 Eye Opener. This is the third consecutive season-opening win for the program and the fourth overall team win since head coach Tim Hall and distance coach Brock Moreaux took over prior to the start of the 2023 season.
Teresa Cherotich paced the Gamecocks in the opener, running a 5K time of 17:04.2 to finish third overall individually. The two-time All-SEC honoree was followed by veteran runners Abigail White (17:40.4) and Anya Arroyo (17:43.3) who placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
Emma Torbert and Ella Nighbor rounded out the top five scorers for the Gamecocks. Torbert clocked a time of 17:44.2 to finish sixth overall, while Nighbor ran 17:54.5 in her collegiate debut to place eighth individually. Nighbor’s time is also the 31st fastest 5K recorded in Gamecock history.
Siobhan Joyce, Ella Demmerle and Allie Matasich finished just outside the top 10 on the individual leaderboard, placing 11th-13th in order. Joyce was able to turn in a new personal best time of 18:02.1 for the 39th fastest mark in school history. Demmerle clocked 18:24.6 in her collegiate debut, while Matasich ran 18:27.1.
The Gamecocks dominated the team leaderboard, finishing the event with 26 points and a full 26 points ahead of in-state rival Clemson (52). Liberty rounded out the top three on the team leaderboard, scoring 90 points.
South Carolina will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 18 when the Gamecocks travel to Raleigh, N.C. to take part in the Adidas XC Challenge hosted by N.C. State. The Gamecocks finished third overall in the 2025 version of the Adidas XC Challenge.
Team Results
1. South Carolina – 26 points
2. Clemson – 52 points
3. Liberty – 90 points
Individual Gamecock Results
3. Teresa Cherotich – 17:04.2
4. Abigail White – 17:40.4
5. Anya Arroyo – 17:43.3
6. Emma Torbert – 17:44.2
8. Ella Nighbor – 17:54.5*
11. Siobhan Joyce – 18:02.1*
12. Ella Demmerle – 18:24.6*
13. Allie Matasich – 18:27.1
22. Mary Frances Iseman – 19:08.4
25. Hattie Jennings – 19:17.0
33. Emma Ashley – 19:26.9*
* – denotes collegiate 5K PR
