Upstate Cross Country Announces 2010 Recruiting Class
7/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate cross country coaches Jimmy Stephens and Carson Blackwelder look to round up the 2010 cross country squad with the addition of seven student-athletes. The incoming athletes, all freshmen, hail from South Carolina to Florida and have come on to continue their athletic careers as Spartans.
"The freshman women we have coming in will add depth to our six and eight spots, while our men's incoming freshman class will add depth to an already strong team," said Blackwelder. " Coach Stephens and I are excited to get the season started and see how they will perform."
Maya Adams and Jessica Davis are set to be the new faces making up the new female class coming aboard in the fall of 2010.
Adams, a Columbia, SC, native, helped to complete the 2009 South Carolina state championship 4x800m relay team and is a four time all-state and all-region 4x800m relay competitor. Following her time at Ridge View High School the middle distance runner comes to Upstate holding personal bests of 59.02 in the 400m and 2:24.45 in the 800m.
Davis, a native of neighboring Greer, SC, comes to the Spartans with a personal best 2:29 in the 800m, 5:43 in the 1600m and a 19:54 5K.
On the men's side, six athletes round out the newcomers and look to be the depth coach Blackwelder and coach Stephens are building in the Spartan roster.
Robbie Burnett, a native of Niceville, Fla., was named the Niceville High School outstanding cross country runner of the year in 2009 and holds personal bests of 4:37 in the 1600m and 10:20 in the 3200m.
Joey Daversa, a product of Grassfield High School in Cheasapeake, Va., earned all-state recognition in 2009 with his indoor performance on the 4x800m relay team and again in 2010 with the 4x800m relay squad's outdoor performance. Daversa was also a 2009 two-time all-region athlete with his performances in cross country and the 1000m event in track and field. The Virginia native comes to Upstate holding a 4:31 1600m, 9:59 3200m, 1:59.4 800m and 16:19 5K.
Matt Johnson, a five time South Carolina state champion and state record holder, comes to the Spartans as a middle distance runner. Johnson picked up his state championship performances in the 800m (2009, 2010), 4x800m (2009, 2010) and 4x400m (2010) and is a member of the state record holding 4x800m relay squad (7:53.00). Johnson is also a two-time record holder at Spring Valley High School in Elgin, S.C. with his 1:55.5 800m performance and participation in the 7:50.99 4x800m relay's team performance. Johnson comes to the Spartans with a 48.84 400m, 1:55.5 800m, 4:37 1600m and 16:58 5K.
Not to be overshadowed by his twin brother, Michael Johnson comes to USC Upstate as a three time South Carolina state champion, two-time all-state honoree and a state record holder. Johnson picked up his state championships in the 4x800m (2009, 2010) and 4x400m (2010) while being honored as an all-state athlete with his performance in the 800m (2009, 2010). Along with his brother, Matt, Johnson is a member of the state record holding 7:53.00 4x800m relay squad and Spring Valley High School record holding 7:50.99 4x800m relay team. Johnson comes to Upstate with a 49.62 400m, 1:56.52 800m and 17:13 5K.
Ross Oden, a 2010 cross country all-region honoree, hails from Salisbury, N.C., and joins the Spartans with a 4:43 1600m, 10:22 3200m and 16:19 5K.
USC Upstate will open its cross country season on September 1 with a dual meet against neighboring rival Wofford. The meet will be held on USC Upstate's home course at Milliken Research Park.
