Women's Cross Country | October 18, 2025

Age is only a number. That is very true for women's cross country standout Bailey Kirkland.

A junior on the team, Kirkland started running when she was just six years old. The standout continued to run throughout her youth despite her high school career being anything but ordinary.

A native of Aiken, S.C., Kirkland attended high school on the campus of USCA at the Aiken Scholars Academy. The highly intelligent student-athlete did what many others would never dream of. She completed her high school career in just two years.

By working so hard during her high school tenure, Kirkland managed to also earn 64 hours of college credits. That resulted in her enrolling into college at a young age.

"I walked into my first college class at 16 years old," Kirkland said. 

 Although she's currently a junior athletically, Kirkland is a senior in the classroom.

Watch the latest Innovative Solutions, "A Closer Look," with Bailey Kirkland – hosted by Shy Iles – for an in-depth look at Kirkland's time at USCA and her future plans.