University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Big South Championships
10/29/2026 12:05:00 PM | Cross Country
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate men's and women's cross country teams return to action Friday, Oct. 30, as the Spartans host the 2026 Big South Cross Country Championships at the Milliken Research Center in Spartanburg, S.C. The meet marks the beginning of postseason competition for both squads as they look to build on their regular-season performances and compete for conference honors on their home course.
Event Information
Meet: Big South Cross Country Championships
Date: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026
Location: Milliken Research Center | Spartanburg, S.C.
Start Time: 9:00 a.m. (Women's 5K) | 9:45 a.m. (Men's 8K)
Live Results: https://tinyurl.com/4fvsnes9
Awards Ceremony: 10:45 a.m.
Championship Information: https://tinyurl.com/t6crvc98
Last Time Out
USC Upstate enters Friday's Big South Championships following the Upstate Invite on Oct. 17 at the Roger Milliken Research Center, where both the men's and women's teams competed against a competitive field of programs from across the Southeast. The meet provided the Spartans an opportunity to race on their home course ahead of the conference championships, with both squads turning in strong individual performances.
On the men's side, Aiden Abrahams led the Spartans in the 8K with a time of 25:35.7, recording the team's fastest time of the season. Yariel Ferretti followed with a time of 25:52.3, while Eric Perry crossed the finish line in 25:56.8. Nick Brooks finished in 26:01.2, while Jason Heusinger rounded out Upstate's top five with a time of 26:09.1. The Spartans demonstrated strong team depth, with just 33.4 seconds separating their five leading runners.
On the women's side, Jordan Thornton paced Upstate in the 5K with a time of 18:44.5. Sophia Outhous followed with a time of 19:05.6, while Grace Glassmeyer crossed the finish line in 19:22.8. Sofia Strom recorded a time of 19:31.7, and freshman Alice Taylor completed the Spartans' top five with a time of 19:34.3. Just 49.8 seconds separated Upstate's first and fifth finishers, highlighting the team's consistency heading into postseason competition.
The performances at the Upstate Invite provided valuable experience for both squads as they competed against regional opponents and continued building momentum ahead of the Big South Championships.
Senior Spartans:
This races marks the final home race for the following Spartans:
- Connor Herold
- Elias Harrison
- Mason Parish
- Gaby Sanchez
- Grace Glassmeyer
- Jordan Thornton
- Maureen Ortiz
- Sophia Outhous
Next Challenge
Friday's Big South Cross Country Championships provide the Spartans an opportunity to compete for conference honors on their home course at the Milliken Research Center. All nine Big South Conference programs will compete in the championship meet, with the women's 5K beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed by the men's 8K at 9:45 a.m.
The top 14 individual finishers in each race will earn All-Conference recognition, with the top seven receiving First-Team honors and the next seven earning Second-Team distinction. Both USC Upstate squads will look to capitalize on their familiarity with the course as they compete against the conference's top runners.
The championships mark Upstate's fifth competition of the 2026 season and the beginning of postseason action. Following Friday's meet, the Spartans will turn their attention to the NCAA Southeast Regional on Nov. 13.
Friday's competition gives head coach Carson Blackwelder's squads an opportunity to showcase their progress throughout the season as they look to deliver strong team and individual performances on the conference championship stage.
