EVANS, Ga.  - After injuries prevented them from posting a team score in the last two meets, the USC Aiken cross country team was back at full strength for Saturday morning's Jaguar Invitational, and the Lady Pacers made a strong showing by finishing tenth out of 15 teams. Fellow Peach Belt Conference member Columbus State won both the men's and women's races. The meet was held at Blanchard Park, a six-kilometer course that is longer than the typical 5K courses.

Freshman Nicole Maitland led the way for USC Aiken finishing in 24th place with a time of 27:40.93. Sophomore Jani Linde was the next Lady Pacer to cross the finish line. Linde's time of 28:14.84 was good enough for 52nd. Juniors Renea Marshall and Alley Dachenhaus crossed in 52nd and 54th respectively with times of 29:25.71 and 29:38.15. 

Freshmen Maggie Blair and Andrea Garcia shook off their injuries from the previous two races to fight through the challenging course. Blair placed 97th with a time of 37:32.06 while Garcia crossed in 38:17.05, good for 99th. For Garcia, it was the first meet of her collegiate career. 

The Lady Pacers will take a week off before competing in The Citadel Invitational in Charleston, S.C., on Saturday, September 29, at 9:00 AM.

2007 Jaguar Invitational
Evans, Ga. – Blanchard Park (6K)
1. Columbus State..................... 52
2. Augusta State........................ 66
3. Georgia College & State........ 95
4. Nova Southeastern............... 114
5. Carson-Newman................... 141
6. Lander.................................... 203
7. North Geogia......................... 209
8. Francis Marion...................... 218
9. Converse...............................241
10. USC Aiken.......................... 242
11. UNC Pembroke................... 247
12. Clayton State....................... 316
13. Benedict............................... 332
14. Georgia Southwestern......... 371
15. Paine.....................................420

2007Jaguar Invitational
USCA Individual Results
24. Nicole Maitland...................... 27:40.93
31. Jani Linde.............................. 28:14.84
52. Renea Marshall......................29:25.71
54. Alley Dachenhaus................. 29:38.15
97. Maggie Blair........................... 37:32.06
99. Andrea Garcia....................... 38:17.05