FLORENCE, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's cross country team opened its 2012 campaign emphatically on Friday evening by winning the 5K Francis Marion Invitational at the Freedom Florence Recreational Complex.

USC Aiken with a total of 30 points edged out host Francis Marion (39) to claim the team title. Paine finished third with 59 points.

The team victory is the first for the Pacers since claiming the team title at the Siemens Technologies/USCB Invitational in 2007. USC Aiken now has four team meet victories in program history.

USC Aiken junior Keely Gillespie (Belvedere, S.C./North Augusta) picked up her first career individual meet win in the Francis Marion Invitational. Gillespie's time of 20:43 allowed her to finish 12 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Whitney Wagner of Francis Marion.

In total, five Pacers finished in the top-10.

Kayla Millholland (Hampton, Ga./Luella HS) acquired fourth place with a time of 22:07. Hillary Spears (Bellbrook, Ohio/Northwood University) claimed seventh place with a time of 22:57, while Morgan Payne (Leesville, S.C./Pelion HS) concluded her efforts just behind Spears in eighth with a time of 22:59.

Brittany May (Augusta, Ga./Greenbrier HS) was the final Pacer in the top-10 with a time of 23:47.

The Pacers will next participate in the Peach Belt Conference Pre-Conference meet at Montevallo on Saturday, Sept. 22. The 6K women's portion of the Pre-Conference meet is set to begin at 9:45 a.m.