University of South Carolina Aiken Athletics

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams

A native of Zebulon, N.C., where she attended East Wake Academy, Samantha Lisek was a solid student-athlete prior to her arrival on campus. She captained the cross country team for three seasons. She was outstanding outside of sports as well. Lisek was the President of Student Government for four years, was a member of the National Honor Society and was awarded the American Legion Citizenship Award. Needless to say, her peers thought highly of her completely, whether it involved sports or not.

“I looked at eight different schools before coming to USC Aiken,” Lisek said. “I got the feeling that I belonged as soon as I stepped foot on campus.

“I lived in South Carolina until I was 12 and it felt like it was perfect for me to come back to a state I really liked.”

As a freshman on the 2012 team, Lisek was surrounded by three upperclassmen in addition to three sophomores. Lisek was not asked to be a leader on that squad with so many student-athletes that were older than her. In 2013, she missed the year due to an injury and despite running in 2014, she was not fully healthy until this season.

During her second and third seasons at USC Aiken, Lisek was still surrounded by student-athletes that were older and ones that were outspoken. As a great teammate during these times, Lisek helped mentor her new teammates.

“In 2012, I felt a small bit of relief knowing that I wouldn’t have to be vocal too much since everyone on the team was older than me,” Lisek stated. “With all the responsibilities I had during high school, not having everything put on me allowed me to grow as a student and teammate.

“While I was injured during my sophomore year, I had to step up and become more of a leader on the team and encourage everyone else since I couldn’t compete at the meets.”

Lisek was alongside the team as it recorded four top-10 finishes that season, including a pair of third-place efforts.

“I had never been injured before and I thought I was going to bounce back quickly,” Lisek said. 

Bouncing back after her injury was tough, but Lisek still competed in six meets as a junior, including crossing the finish line with a seventh-place finish at the USC Aiken Invitational.

After the 2014 season, the USC Aiken cross country program had five seniors on the team that graduated, leaving Lisek as the lone fourth-year member of the 2015 squad. In fact, all but three student-athletes from the 2014 team graduated after the season.

All eyes were upon Lisek once again to be the leader on the team, just like she had done four years earlier at East Wake Academy.

“This year, I feel like I’m doing everything the right way,” Lisek mentioned. “I’m trying to set a good example and leading the team the right way. Having so many newcomers is a different pressure, but it is a pressure that I enjoy having.”

This year’s team includes a junior, four sophomores and a pair of freshmen. However, two of the sophomores and the junior had no previous collegiate running experience.

“Early on, the team followed me because I was the only senior,” Lisek stated. “I try and lead in different ways, including bringing the team together and encouraging everyone. When I get done with a workout and someone else is still running, I’ll go over and run with them while encouraging them.”

“Samantha has demonstrated great leadership potential since we recruited her,” head coach Kara Kreutzer said. “Samantha was instrumental in helping her high school add a cross country team after running road races and she has been very dedicated to this program since her freshman year.

“She sets a good example by having a good attitude and working hard,” Kreutzer stated. “Even during her redshirt season, Samantha attended practices and encouraged her teammates.

“Samantha has represented the team as one of the SAAC representatives and looks for ways to help out at practices, travel and with her teammates.”

Lisek’s times were slowed during her junior year as she came off a hamstring injury, but she is looking to get back to where she was prior to being sidelined. Even if that doesn’t happen and she isn’t the fastest on the team, Lisek will leave a lasting mark on her teammates for years to come.

Coming back from her injury and being with her teammates side-by-side have helped the others learn what they should do in the future. Lisek, who will graduate this school year, has proven that she is not only the unquestioned leader on the team, but is also a valuable member of the squad.