Cross Country Returns to Action at Adidas XC Challenge
RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 17, 2026) – South Carolina cross country is back in action this weekend, competing in the Adidas XC Challenge tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in Raleigh, N.C.
This will be the second consecutive season that the Gamecocks will lace up the spikes in Raleigh, finishing as bronze medalists in 2025. Live results for Friday’s race can be found here.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
There will be 16 teams running in this weekend’s event, with the Wolfpack highlighting the field with the No. 1 ranking in the USTFCCCA Preseason Poll. The Gamecocks are the second highest team entered to run, ranking No. 15 in the preseason rankings.
LAST TIME OUT
South Carolina dominated in the season opener, winning the Eye Opener in Spartanburg, S.C. with a score of 26 points, finishing 26 points ahead of in-state rival Clemson. Teresa Cherotich led the way for the Gamecocks, finishing third overall in the field with a time of 17:04.2. She was followed by teammates Abigail White (17:40.4) and Anya Arroyo (17:43.3) who placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
STELLAR DEBUT
Freshman distance runner Ella Nighbor posted a strong collegiate debut at the Eye Opener, finishing eighth overall with a 5K time of 17:54.5 to score for the Gamecocks. Her mark was the 31st fastest time recorded in program history and earned her SEC Women’s Freshman of the Week honors.
LINING UP FRIDAY
The Gamecocks will send 12 athletes to the starting line on Friday night, led by Cherotich, White and Arroyo. Nine of the 12 runners donning the Garnet & Black ran in the season opener earlier this month. Louise Bailly, Sofie Kurzawa and Abir Reffas will be making their season debuts, with Bailly lining up for her collegiate debut.
