Spartans Looking to make a Splash at Eye Opener Invitational

Mia Davis Interview
Jonathan Johnson Interview

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The USC Upstate cross country programs will be racing in their second meet of the season on Friday afternoon, this time the Spartans will be racing on their home course at the Milliken Research Park.

USC Upstate will be racing against 15 other schools on Friday night. Charleston Southern, Cleveland CC, East Tennessee State, Furman, Lander, Lees-McRae, Limestone, Louisburg College, Mercer, Montreat, North Greenville, USC Aiken, UNC Pembroke, UNC Asheville, Walters State CC and Wofford.

In the first outing of the season the women's team finished eighth at the Covered Bridge Open in Boone, N.C. Junior Mia Davis (Fort Mill, S.C.) led the Spartans with a time of 20:49.28 on a 5.2 kilometer course. Freshman Laura Yarborough (Greer, S.C.) came in second on the team with a time of 20:50.69.

On the men's side of the race the Spartans finished in seventh place with at the Covered Bridge Open. Jonathan Johnson (New Bern, N.C.) just missed out on a top 25 finish with a time of 26:40.08 on an 8 kilometer course. Jacob Coccia (Rock Hill, S.C.) came in second on the team with a total time of 27:26.36.

This will be the first of two home meets for the Spartans this season. The Eye Opener event is a 5 kilometer race for the women and an 8 kilometer race for the men. The women's race will start at 5:45 p.m. and the men's race will follow at 6:20 p.m.

"Expect a good race, expect a bounce back race…You guys see us around, you see us running and we run all these miles to show out for you guys." Johnson said, "If you guys could come out it would be greatly appreciated."

Follow USC Upstate cross country on Facebook (UpstateAthletics), Twitter (@UpstateXCTrack), Instagram (@upstatespartans) and YouTube (USCUpstateAthletics).

Players Mentioned

Jacob Coccia

Mia Davis

Jonathan Johnson

Laura Yarborough

Footer