5/18/2021
Lauren Etheridge was hired as the head coach for men's and women's cross country on Dec. 11, 2018.
“We are excited to get someone with Lauren’s passion and background here at USC Aiken,” Director of Athletics Jim Herlihy said.
“Her experience recruiting and coaching under a well-respected head coach at an up and coming Division II cross country program really made an impression. We know she will quickly build the relationships needed to be successful in the Peach Belt Conference and regionally.”
In 2020, Etheridge guided the women's team to an eighth-place finish at the PBC Championship, marking the program's highest in a decade. The women's team won the USC Aiken Invitational and had three top-five finishes. The men's team took ninth at the PBC Championship while everyone established personal-best times. The squad had a second-place effort at the USC Aiken Invitational.
During her first year at the helm of the programs, Etheridge guided the women's team to a victory during a regular-season home meet. The men's team took 10th at the PBC Championship. Every runner on each team registered personal-best times at the league championship.
Etheridge comes to USC Aiken from Auburn Montgomery, where she was the graduate assistant for the men’s and women’s cross country teams as well as the strength and conditioning coach.
In addition to her duties at the helm of the USC Aiken cross country programs, Etheridge will also handle the strength and conditioning programs for each of the 12 teams. While at AUM, Etheridge oversaw the strength and conditioning programs for each of the 10 teams at the Gulf South Conference school.
“Lauren’s experience running strength and conditioning programs for an athletic department with a similar sport sponsorship will allow us to improve in that area as well.”
Etheridge is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She is a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE).
While at AUM, Etheridge oversaw the strength and conditioning programs for each of the athletic teams. She assisted the head coach in designing and implementing workouts and training, designed the women’s track running program and assisted in all aspects of recruiting for cross country.
Prior to her time at Auburn Montgomery, Etheridge competed on the track and field team at UNC Asheville for four years while also running cross country for two seasons.
Etheridge is a third-degree black belt in Tenbukan and Ichiban Karate. She is also a second-degree black belt in Taikypo ryu Karate Jitsu, and Tae Kwando.
Etheridge has a degree in health and wellness from UNC Asheville and is completing her master’s in exercise science at Auburn Montgomery.
