Bailly Leads Gamecocks to Runner-Up Finish in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 18, 2026) – South Carolina cross country turned in a second-place result at the Adidas XC Challenge in Raleigh, N.C. on Friday night. The Gamecocks were led by newcomer Louise Bailly who made her collegiate debut with a runner-up finish herself. The second-place team finish is an improvement on the 2025 Adidas XC Challenge in which South Carolina placed third.

Bailly, a native of Troyes, France, paced the Gamecocks by recording the sixth fastest 5K mark in Gamecock history after crossing the finish line in 16:35.5 to finish second in the field behind N.C. State’s Bethany Michalak (16:34.2). Teresa Cherotich also placed inside the top 10 after clocking 16:48.1 to finish fifth overall.

Abir Reffas was the third scorer for the Gamecocks, running 17:03.5 in her season debut which solidified her in 11th. Anya Arroyo and Emma Torbert rounded out the top five scorers for the Gamecocks, with Arroyo running 17:07.6 for 12th overall and Torbert registering a new personal best time of 17:08.4 to place 13th. Torbert’s new personal best mark ranks 13th in Gamecock history.

South Carolina turned in five personal best marks this evening, including SEC Freshman Runner of the Week Ella Nighbor who clocked 17:19.5 in her second collegiate race – good enough for 16th in South Carolina history. Ella Demmerle (17:46.6) and Siobhan Joyce (17:52.3) advanced up the program leaderboard with their new personal best marks as Demmerle now ranks 31st and Joyce sits in 34th.

The Gamecocks finished second in the field with 40 points, with N.C. State claiming the title in their home meet with 21 points. Liberty rounded out the top three teams after claiming 124 points.

South Carolina returns to competition on Friday, Oct. 2 when the Gamecocks travel to South Bend, Ind. for the Joe Piane XC Invite. South Carolina finished runner-up in the 2025 edition of the Joe Piane XC Invite.

Team Results
1. N.C. State – 21 points
2. South Carolina – 40 points
3. Liberty – 124 points

Individual Gamecock Results
2. Louise Bailly – 16:35.5*
5. Teresa Cherotich – 16:48.1
11. Abir Reffas – 17:03.5
12. Anya Arroyo – 17:07.6
13. Emma Torbert – 17:08.4*
14. Abigail White – 17:09.3
18. Ella Nighbor – 17:19.5*
26. Allie Matasich – 17:36.7
30. Ella Demmerle – 17:46.6*
31. Siobhan Joyce – 17:52.3*
45. Mary Frances Iseman – 18:25.2

* – denotes collegiate 5K PR