BOONE, N.C. (Aug. 28, 2025) – For the second consecutive season, South Carolina Cross Country will begin the campaign at the Covered Bridge Open in Boone, N.C. on the campus of Appalachian State.
The Gamecocks will run tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. in the first 5K event of the season, looking to repeat as meet champions from a season ago. Live results for Friday’s race can be found here.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
There will be a total of seven teams running at the Covered Bridge Open tomorrow: College of Charleston, Gardner-Webb, Georgia, Roane State, South Carolina, Tennessee Tech and the host of the meet, Appalachian State.
MAKING HISTORY
South Carolina Cross Country continues to elevate to new heights under direction of Head Coach Tim Hall and Assistant Coach Brock Moreaux who is entering his third season at the helm of the distance program. Just this week, the Gamecocks slid into fifth in the USTFCCCA Preseason Southeast Regional Rankings for the highest regional ranking in program history. Additionally, the Gamecocks received votes in the National Coaches’ Poll.
NEW LOOK GAMECOCKS
South Carolina trimmed the roster to 17 student-athletes on the team, including adding six new faces to the program. Salma Elbadra, a decorated track athlete in her first season with South Carolina in 2025, will showcase her talents this season with the cross country squad as well. The Gamecocks also welcome transfers Eline Mast (Houston Christian) and Abir Reffas (California Baptist) in addition to freshmen: Emma Ashley (South Carolina), Jade Buridon (France), and Allie Matasich (Pennsylvania).
LINING UP FRIDAY
South Carolina will send 13 student-athletes to represent the Garnet & Black in Boone this weekend. South Carolina will be led by Teresa Cherotich who earned All-SEC Second Team honors in 2024 and finished 13th at the NCAA Southeast Regional. Joining Cherotich will be returners: Anya Arroyo, Cate Conklin, Mary Frances Iseman, Hattie Jennings, Sofie Kurzawa, Emma Torbert, Abigail White and Ella Zeigler. Six of the aforementioned athletes currently hold Top 20 program marks in the 5K.
Matasich will make her South Carolina debut, while Eline Mast, Jade Buridon and Sinead Joyce will be a game-time decision.