Women's Cross Country | October 02, 2023

AIKEN, S.C. – University of South Carolina Aiken women's cross country standout Tess Studley has been named the South Carolina Education Lottery Student-Athlete of the Month for September.

Studley, a native of Summerville, S.C., had a tremendous month for USC Aiken.

In all four races, Studley was the team's top performer. Additionally, she picked up PBC Athlete of the Week honors twice, marking the first two times that has occurred since Nicole Maitland earned the honor in 2008.

Studley finished 47^th in a field of Division I student-athletes at the Elon Friday Night Lights meet. She followed it up with a fourth-place effort at the Blue Bear Invitational. Studley was 45^th at the Converse Kickoff and followed it up with an 11^th-place mark at the Akiah McMillan Invitational.

Studley's effort of 20:43 at the Blue Bear Invitational marked the sixth-fastest 5k time in school history.

Her solid effort helped the team earn its first-ever region ranking.   

The South Carolina Education Lottery USC Aiken Athletic Department Student-Athlete of the Month award honors one student-athlete each month from an in-season sport for their hard work and effort. Each month during the 2023-24 athletic year one winner will be chosen from an in-season sport.

August 2023 – Hippolyte Denis, Men's Soccer
September 2023 – Tess Studley, Women's Cross Country