BOONE, N.C. (Aug. 29, 2025) – For the second consecutive season, Gamecock Cross Country kicked off the campaign with a convincing win in Boone, N.C. South Carolina repeated as team champions at the Covered Bridge Open 5K, scoring 18 points in the process and recording eight new personal best marks.
Teresa Cherotich picked up where she left off last season, repeating as the individual champion after running a new personal best time of 16:52.8 for the third fastest time in program history. She was followed by teammates Anya Arroyo and Mary Frances Iseman, respectively. Arroyo clocked a new personal best of 16:56.5 to rank fourth in program history, while Iseman ran the eighth fastest time with a new personal best mark of 17:15.7.
Newcomer and Houston Christian transfer, Eline Mast, placed fifth in her Gamecock debut with a personal best time of 17:29.6, ranking 12th overall in Carolina history. Abigail White was the final scorer for the Garnet & Black, running a personal best time of 17:32.0 to place seventh overall, while ranking 14th in program history.
Cate Conklin and Hattie Jennings found themselves inside the Top 10 on the individual leaderboard, with Conklin running the 19th fastest 5K in program history at 17:37.2 for a new personal best. Jennings clocked 17:44.3 in her season opener. Freshman, Allie Matasich, just missed out on the Top 10 finish, placing 11th after running 17:46.8. Matasich’s season debut marked the 24th best time in program history.
The Gamecocks dominated the team leaderboard, finishing 29 points clear of SEC foe, Georgia. Host Appalachian State rounded out the top three with 82 points.
South Carolina will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 19 when the Gamecocks travel to Raleigh, N.C. to take part in the Adidas XC Challenge hosted by N.C. State.
Team Results
1. South Carolina – 18 points
2. Georgia – 47 points
3. Appalachian State – 82 points
Individual Gamecock Results
1. Teresa Cherotich – 16:52.8*
2. Anya Arroyo – 16:56.5*
3. Mary Frances Iseman – 17:15.7*
5. Eline Mast – 17:29.6*
7. Abigail White – 17:32.0*
9. Cate Conklin – 17:37.2*
10. Hattie Jennings – 17:44.3
11. Allie Matasich – 17:46.8*
14. Emma Torbert – 17:54.5
21. Ella Zeigler – 18:21.5
23. Sofie Kurzawa – 18:25.0
30. Sinead Joyce – 18:38.2*
* – denotes collegiate 5K PR