ROCK HILL, S.C. – USC Upstate men's and women's cross country had a solid day at the Big South Championships Friday afternoon at the Winthrop Farm. The women placed fourth as a team, their highest-ever finish in the Big South Championships. The men tied their best-ever finish at the Big South Championships with fifth place as a team.
Additionally, Jared Keklak was named Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and Allie Leavitt was named to the All-Academic Team.
"Overall, it was a good day for the women's cross country team. We had four PR's for the day. Jamie Connelly had a huge PR and moved up from 28th at the mile to 18th by the finish. Mia Davis ran her fastest time ever and stepped up when it mattered. The women did a great job of competing and rising to the challenge of the other teams," said head coach Carson Blackwelder.
Top Women Finishers
Jamie Connelly – 18:40.6 (PR, ranks seventh in school history)
Mia Davis – 19:03.6 (PR, ranks ninth in school history)
Allie Leavitt – 19:14.9 (PR, ranks 13th in school history)
Stecy Cherono – 19:51.3 (PR, ranks 21st in school history)
The men's course was 7.7K this year due to drainage issues, and the team was led by Jonathan Loy (25.09.1) and Jonathan Johnson (25:11.8) who went 20th and 21st, respectively.
"The men's race went out fast and the guys did a great job of taking on the challenge. They moved up throughout the race and had to test how tough they are mentally and physically. It was a great effort by the entire team as they did not back down. They gave everything they had today and that is all you can ask for as a coach," said Coach Blackwelder.
