No. 12 Gamecock Cross Country Returns to Joe Piane Invite Friday
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Oct. 1, 2026) – South Carolina cross country returns to the racecourse tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the historic Joe Piane Invite on the Burke Golf Course.
The national No. 12 Gamecocks return to the South Bend, Ind. 5K course where they had a breakout race a season ago, finishing second in a field of 20 with four runners in the top 11 and all scorers in the top 17 of individual finishes.
Live results for Friday’s meet can be found here.
FRIDAY’S FIELD
There will be 19 other teams competing in the Women’s Blue 5K race again in the 2026 edition of the meet, with USC being one of three nationally ranked squads in the field. No. 1 NC State, No. 7 Notre Dame and Clemson – the second leading vote-getter outside the USTFCCCA Top 25 – will also toe the starting line Friday.
LAST TIME OUT
South Carolina placed second of 16 at the Adidas XC Challenge in Raleigh, N.C. on Sept. 18, bested only by the No. 1 Wolfpack. It was a freshman at the forefront for the Gamecocks again as Louise Bailly led the USC contingent in second overall while Teresa Cherotich wasn’t far behind in fifth place and the rest of the team’s scorers crossed the finish line in the top 13 of individuals.
PROGRAM-BEST NATIONAL RANKING
The Gamecocks were ranked 11th nationally in the USTFCCCA coaches poll on Sept. 22, the best ranking in program history. The historic mark comes on the back of a pair of podium finishes to start the season as South Carolina returns its core that led the team to its first ever NCAA Championship Meet (15th place), including All-American Salma Elbadra on top of adding promising young talent to the lineup.
FREAKY FAST FRESHMEN
In a second straight meet to start the season a Gamecock freshman made headlines as Frenchman Louise Bailly’s second-place finish in 16:35.5 at the Adidas XC Challenge was the 6th-fastest 5K mark in program history. Two weeks prior, Clover, S.C. native Ella Nighbor earned SEC Women’s Freshman of the Week honors for a strong collegiate debut at the Eye Opener, finishing eighth overall to score for the Gamecocks. Her 5K mark was the 31st fastest time recorded in program history.
LINING UP FRIDAY
The Gamecocks will send 13 athletes to the starting line on Friday morning, led by the 2025 All-American Elbadra who will be making her highly anticipated season debut. Behind her, Bailly will look to her follow up her impressive debut and Cherotich will aim for top five in a third straight meet to start the season. The remaining scorers from last November’s National Championship race – Abigail White, Abir Reffas and Anya Arroyo will also don the Garnet and Black Friday. Sophomore Jade Buridon will also make her season debut at the Joe Piane Invite.
