Upstate Cross Country Caps Regular Season Races With Strong Performances at Upstate Invite

Saturday, October 14

Spartanburg, S.C.

9:00 A.M.

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

Upstate Invite

Nigel Dos Santos; Heaven Bennett

10/14/2023 1:42:00 PM | Cross Country

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate cross country capped their regular season on Saturday morning as the Spartans hosted the annual Upstate Invite at Milliken Research Center.

In the men's 8K race, Nigel Dos Santos set the pace for the third race this season. With a time of 25:37.4 Dos Santos was able to secure a 46th place finish as well as set a new personal best for the second straight race. Carter Sexton also set a new personal best at the Upstate Invite as he shaved 42 seconds off his previous best, set a few weeks ago at the Live in Lou Cross Country Classic. Mason Parish also set a new personal best for the second straight contest as he finished with a 27:18.3, cutting off 19 seconds.

Men's Results (14th of 27)
46. Nigel Dos Santos – 25:37.4

53. Carter Sexton – 25:41.7

109. Gabe Herron – 26:27.4

133. Sam Shimanskiy – 26:57.9

144. Jared Keklak – 27:07.6

149. Monroe Thompkins – 27:12.1

160. Mason Parish – 27:18.3

181. Derek Staton – 27:46.5

199. Connor Herold – 28:06.7

215. Eric Perry – 28:36.4

In the women's 5K race, Heaven Bennett led the women for the third race this season, crossing the finish line with a time of 19:19.4 for a 103rd place finish. Gabby Sanchez was able to set a new personal best for the second straight race as she cut her Live at Lou Classic PR down by seven seconds. Alanie Foster and Adalie Harrison were able to finish with new personal bests as well with Foster shaving a minute and seven seconds while Harrison cut her time down by

Women's Results (24th of 32)

103. Heaven Bennett – 19:19.4

140. Jordan Thornton – 19:55.8

179. Alanie Foster – 20:30.9

184. Adalie Harrison – 20:40.7

199. Grace Miller – 20:56.7

228. Gabby Sanchez – 21:45.8

226. Maureen Ortiz – 21:38.4

230. Grace Glassmeyer – 21:49.1

Several USC Upstate Alumni returned to Milliken Research Center to compete on what used to be their home stomping ground. Mark Rennix led the alumni group with a time of 29:19.4 for a 232nd place finish. Behind Rennix came Calin Shumacher (237), Cody Ellison (244), Jonathan Loy (259), and Joey Daversa (269).

Next UP for the Spartans

Upstate will gear up for the Big South Cross Country Championships on Oct. 29th hosted by Radford at Green Hill Park in Salem, Va.

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