Women's Cross Country | August 30, 2023
AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's cross country team opens the season Friday evening at the Elon Friday Night Lights meet.
Under the direction of head coach
Marshall Leonard, the Pacers are looking to build off numerous personal-best times near the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.
This season, Leonard features a trio of juniors, including one transfer, to go along with a sophomore and six freshmen.
Madison Hart and
Olivia Robertson have been with the program since their rookie campaign and bring a wealth of leadership to the squad while second-year standout
Kaitlynn Ford is looking to build off a solid freshman season.
Leonard's team features junior
Taylor Joop, who transferred from Heartland C.C. There, she picked up first-team All-America honors after finishing seventh at the National Championship. The incoming freshmen include
Jasmine Campbell,
Alaynah Guthrie,
Bailey Kirkland,
Olivia Moriates,
Amaiyah Smith and
Tess Studley. The group should help USC Aiken continue its ascent in the region.
"Going into the Elon race, we know that we will have some solid competition with athletes that competed in the 2022 XC National Championships," Leonard said. "Having tough competition makes us better, and we are excited to step up to the challenge.
"We have some talented athletes on our roster, and I am looking forward to seeing them showcase their skill set at the Elon night race."
It is a 4k race that will start at 8:15 p.m. Other teams at the meet include Averett, Barton, Campbell, Elon, Fayetteville State, High Point, Meredith, North Carolina A&T, Rockingham C.C., Shaw, St. Augustine's, UNC Pembroke, UNC Wilmington, Winston-Salem State and Winthrop.
