Women's Cross Country | August 03, 2023

AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken, in conjunction with head women's cross country coach Marshall Leonard, is excited to announce the addition of seven student-athletes for the upcoming 2023-24 academic year.

Jasmine Campbell, Alaynah Guthrie, Taylor Joop, Bailey Kirkland, Olivia Moriates, Amaiyah Smith and Tess Studley will continue their athletic and academic careers with USC Aiken beginning this fall.

Campbell is a native of Gilbert, S.C. At Gilbert H.S., Campbell tallied all-region accolades as a sophomore. She also registered a seventh-place finish at the Region 5 meet.

"Jasmine comes to us with the determination to be the best runner that she can be," Leonard said. "During our conversations, she has asked the right questions when it comes to what she needs to improve. I think she will surprise herself and others."

Guthrie is a native of North Augusta, S.C. At Fox Creek H.S., she established a personal-best mark of 22:37 in the 5k. A two-time all-region honoree, Guthrie set the school record in the 5k. She was also tabbed as the Fox Creek Runner of the Year.

"Alaynah is a runner that has flown under the recruiting radar," Leonard stated. "She has a load of talent, and more importantly, the desire and drive to be really good at her sport. I expect a lot of great things from her during her career."

Joop is a native of Tolono, Ill. At Heartland C.C., she picked up first-team All-America honors after finishing seventh at the National Championship. Joop won the regional title as a sophomore. She posted a personal-best time of 19:27 in the 5k and garnered a time of 23:55 in the 6k. 

"Taylor is a runner that has a load of talent, the desire to be great, and the leadership skills that all coaches look for in a recruit," Leonard said. "She comes to us after finishing 7^th at the JUCO National Championships. Every year that she runs, she improves on her time.  I have high expectations for her as an athlete, leader of her teammates, and her academics."  
 
Kirkland is a native of Aiken, S.C. At South Aiken H.S., Kirkland guided her team to the region championship as a sophomore. She posted a 5k time of 24:03 her senior season. Kirkland won the Class 4-A Region 4 800m championship. 

"Bailey comes to us after running four years at South Aiken, where she improved on her personal bests every season," Leonard stated. "She finished her high school career as the regional 800-meter champion. She continues to work hard every day and I am looking forward to seeing her have a successful college career."

Moriates is a native of Babylon, N.Y. At Babylon Jr. Sr. H.S., Moriates qualified for the state meet her senior season. An all-league performer as a junior, Moriates guided her team to the league championship her junior campaign. A captain as a senior, she tallied a pair of top-10 finishes in the county her final two years and had a personal-best time of 21:30 in the 5k. 

"Olivia is a talented athlete that has a strong drive to be part of a successful team, and to play a key role on that team." Leonard said. "She has the potential and the desire to be a really good runner, and I am looking forward to seeing her reach her goals and be a key part of our success."  

Smith is a native of Columbia, S.C. At Ridge View H.S., she accounted for a 5k personal-best time of 21:07 as a senior. Smith garnered a time of 12:39 in the 3,200m that same season. She posted top times of 5:39 in the 1,600m and 2:32 in the 800m. Smith holds the school record for the 3k.

"Amaiyah is a fierce competitor and has a strong work ethic," Leonard stated. "Both of those attributes are what drew me to recruiting her. She is going to push her teammates at practice and at races, all the while having a great smile on her face. Amaiyah is a wonderful young adult."

Studley is a native of Summerville, S.C. At Fort Dorchester H.S., she notched a mark of 19:22.21 for the 5k. Studley also ran the 3,200m in 11:51.86. She accounted of times of 5:24.50 in the 1,600m and a mark of 2:31.05 in the 800m.  

"Tess comes to USC Aiken as an athlete that had a wonderful high school career but has the desire to do a reset on her career. She has the potential to be the best female runner in our program's history. She has the ability, desire to be great, and the heart of a champion. I look forward to seeing her break all our school records during her career."

The newcomers will open their USC Aiken careers at the Elon Friday Night Lights meet on Sept. 1.